A welcoming francophone communitie (WFC)
A welcoming Francophone communities is an inclusive community where French-speaking newcomers feel that their identity is respected and that they are part of the host community.
All members of the community (including employers, host community, community leaders, and local authorities) have a positive attitude towards French-speaking newcomers. They trust and understand each other.
Characteristics of welcoming community (IRCC)
Inclusive leadership
Local authorities, such as Francophone or Anglophone municipalities and police services, as well as community leaders, including schools, ethnocultural associations, service providers, and Francophone or Anglophone organizations, work together to create a welcoming and inclusive Francophone community. This helps foster connections between newcomers and members of the host community. They promote a discourse that supports diversity and inclusion.
Equitable access to settlement and integration services
Newcomers have access to French-language services and resources connected to the Francophone community, allowing them to integrate successfully.
Economic opportunities, entrepreneurship and employment
The host community and employers recognize, value and make use of the expertise brought by French-speaking newcomers in order to strengthen the region’s economic vitality.
Civic engagement and participation
French-speaking newcomers participate in the various community, civic and political activities of the host community.French-speaking newcomers participate in the various community, civic and political activities of the host community.
Welcoming public spaces
Francophone public spaces and recreational infrastructure are accessible, support social cohesion, improve quality of life, and contribute to the integration of newcomers within the host community.
Innovate pilot project
As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 « Invest in our future » and in response to the needs expressed by the Francophone minority communities (CFSM), incentive measures have been advocated to support the strengthening and development of these communities through Francophone immigration to Canada.
In fact, more than $40 million is destined for Francophone immigration to help attract and retain Francophone immigrants within CFSM.
Therefore, the immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in collaboration with community partners, initiated in 2018, Welcoming francophone communitie initiative (WFC).
Within the context of the initiative, 14 communities have been selected across Canada to attract, integrate and retain Francophone immigrants in order to increase their economic growth but also to make the communities the preferred and permanent choice of residence for Francophone newcomers.
Welcoming francophone community in Manitoba
The Riviere-Seine region
The Riviere-Seine region in Manitoba, has been officially selected to deploy the projects on Welcoming Francophone Communities and includes the following major communities: municipalities from Taché and La Broquerie, as well as town of Ste. Anne.
The Seine River region is a semi-urban area about 67 km from Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital city. Its francophone character¾the region is home to around 7,000 francophones¾makes it a choice destination for French-speaking immigrants looking to relocate to Manitoba.
The Rivière-Seine Region In Key Figures
19 700
Total population of the three communities
2 945
Francophone population
4,6%
Average unemployment rate across the three CFAs
296
Estimated annual number of immigrants welcomed between 2011 and 2016
1 754
Total number of businesses in the region
The Rivière-Rouge region
In 2025, the Rivière-Rouge Region was designated a Welcoming Francophone Community (WFC) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in collaboration with the Francophone Immigration Networks (RIF).
The Rivière-Rouge region in Manitoba was officially selected to implement the Welcoming Francophone Communities project and includes the following main communities: the municipalities of Ritchot, De Salaberry and Montcalm, as well as the village of St-Pierre-Jolys. This territory, crossed by the Red River, offers a peaceful setting where history, agricultural traditions and community life come together harmoniously. The region is recognized for its warm welcome, rich cultural life and many events celebrating the French language and Métis heritage.
The Rivière-Rouge Region In Key Figures
13 970
Total population
5 315
Bilingual residents
4 561
Homeownership rate
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