National News

Trudeau Concludes Participation at 19th Sommet de la Francophonie with Significant Commitments

Paris, FrancePrime Minister Justin Trudeau today concluded his participation at the 19th Sommet de la Francophonie, held in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France. The event provided Trudeau with an opportunity to promote the French language, strengthen Canada’s ties with other member states of La Francophonie, and advance shared values, including peace, democracy, human rights, and inclusion.

During the summit, Trudeau emphasized Canada’s continued dedication to fostering development, security, and inclusion in Francophone Africa. He announced over $11 million in funding to support various initiatives. These include improving access to education, empowering women and girls, enhancing youth nutrition and health, and bolstering community safety and security. The initiatives aim to reinforce relations between Canada and French-speaking African nations.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to modernizing governance at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). This will ensure the OIF can fulfill its mandate effectively and transparently, with a focus on promoting shared values and the French language. Efforts are already underway to identify workforce needs for teaching French across member nations, and to promote instruction in French.

To further support La Francophonie, Trudeau announced an additional investment of nearly $1.6 million from the federal government. These funds will be allocated to support scientific research in French, increase student mobility, and improve youth employability. The funds will also expand French-language content on the TV5MONDEplus platform and foster research on promoting Francophone identities worldwide. Moreover, the investment will encourage greater participation of women in Francophone parliaments.

The Villers-Cotterêts Call, a key outcome of the summit, saw Canada join other OIF members in urging digital platforms to strengthen their efforts in creating a safer and more equitable digital space. The summit also stressed the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to counter disinformation. Trudeau highlighted the importance of strong partnerships within La Francophonie to create a safer and more prosperous future for its member nations.

As a founding member of the OIF and its second-largest donor, Canada remains committed to supporting the organization’s mandate, especially in preserving and promoting the French language. Canada’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française highlights the nation’s dedication to promoting the richness and diversity of the French language worldwide. This project will spotlight the contributions of Canada’s Francophone minority communities and deepen cultural exchanges within La Francophonie.

Building on recent progress from French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Canada, Trudeau reiterated the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between Canada and France.

During the summit, Trudeau also engaged in discussions with global counterparts regarding key geopolitical issues, including the ongoing crises in Haiti and tensions in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for collective action to preserve peace and security, particularly in the Francophone world.

Canada’s presence and commitments at the Sommet de la Francophonie underscore its long-standing leadership in promoting the French language and fostering collaboration within the international Francophone community.

Alwin Marshall-Squire

Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of GTA Today and serves as the Parliament Hill Reporter covering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet. With a commitment to accurate and timely news coverage, Marshall-Squire brings depth and insight to the forefront of Canadian journalism. For feedback, reach out at alwin.squire@gtaweekly.ca.

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