The RVF - Who we are

Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) is part of the events surrounding the Journée Internationale de la Francophonie (March 20), which is organized every year to promote the French language and its numerous cultural expressions!

Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018! It is an initiative of the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, whose mandate is to promote and support dialogue between the Francophone and Acadian communities and all other communities in Canada.

Nearly 9.5 million people in Canada keep the French language alive and bring it to others. Most of these people live in Acadian communities or in Quebec and Ontario, but some of them live in western and northern Canada. Some come from families that have been established in Canada for generations, while others are more recent immigrants, or Anglophones or allophones who have chosen to learn French and immerse themselves in its culture.

The RVF is a time for Canada’s Francophonie to celebrate! More than 3000 activities take place across Canada: community gatherings, multicultural meetings, ceremonies, shows, singing, theatre, poetry, film viewings, word games, contests, educational activities—in short, a whole series of events that provide an excuse for celebrating.

By bringing together and listing the hundreds of activities organized by Francophones and Francophiles across the country, the RVF conveys the tremendous energy of the communities and regions, and invites you to join the party by promoting these celebrations through the pan-Canadian event calendar.

The RVF is an extraordinary opportunity to come together in celebration!

Every year, the RVF is proud to have renowned spokespersons who are involved with and passionate about the Canadian Francophonie.

The RVF presents the two spokespersons for its 20th anniversary:

For the three years from 2016 to 2018, the RVF focused on the theme of: La Francophonie in 3D: Diversity, Duality, and Dynamism!

Diversity: The desire to develop a better life together is an essential value in our country. This fundamental characteristic connects us. The RVF wants to celebrate this reality.

Duality: Based on a historic agreement, the country’s official languages strengthen the concept of diversity and acceptance. Support for linguistic duality is a demonstration of what makes Canada different, stronger and more attractive. The RVF wants to help enhance this support.

Dynamism: Francophone communities right across the country, integrated into their environments, have helped drive the local economy and culture through their innovativeness and imagination. This is the added value that Francophones, Acadians and Francophiles want to spread to all Canadians. The RVF would like to demonstrate this vitality.

Francophone entrepreneurial vision and vitality

While maintaining an aesthetic link with last year’s “steampunk” design, the visual concept for 2018 puts the spotlight on Francophone entrepreneurs by emphasizing their contribution to revitalizing the Canadian economy.

The concept of the archer embodies the intently focused vision of entrepreneurs as well as their determination to achieve their goals. At the same time, it calls to mind well-known motivational messages like “aim high,” “reach your goal” and “aim for success.”

It also seeks to convey a sense of unifying power: in spite of our country’s vast geographical distances, the Francophonie adds a valuable string to our bow when it comes time to reach out to different communities.

It brings the world within our grasp.

Andrée Lortie, President
C.M., O. Ont., Director
La Cité collégiale's Founding President
Ontario

Bernard Voyer, Vice-president
O.C., C.Q., Explorer
Québec

Michel Matifat, CA, Secretary - Treasurer
President, RDÉE Canada and SDECB
Colombie-Britannique

Monique Collette, Secretary
Retired Public Servant
New Brunswick

Yvon Godin, Director
Ontario

Chedly Belkhodja, Director
Professor and Director, Concordia University
Québec

Paulette Duguay, Director
Consultant
Manitoba

Laura Morrison, Director
Senior consultant – Sun life
Québec

Jenny Matingu, Director
Consultant
Ontario

Georges Arsenault, Director
Historian, ethnologist and communicator
Prince Edward Island

Renée Champagne, Director
Consultant
Ontario

Glen Taylor, Director
Francophone Education Consultant Alberta

Hon. Allister Surette, C.E.N.É., Director
Rector and vice-chancellor
Université Sainte-Anne
Nova Scotia

Jean Johnson, Director
President, FCFA du Canada

Laurence Landry
Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique

Hélène Guillemette
Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta

Marc Masson
L’Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise

Myriam Leclercq
Société de la francophonie Manitobaine

Marie Roy
Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario

Éric Dow
Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick

Giselle Thibault
Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse

Germain Arsenault
Fédération culturelle de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard

Leslie Quennenhen
Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador

Audrey Percheron
Association franco-yukonnaise

Alexandre Assabgui
Fédération franco-ténoise

Maxime Joly
Association des francophones du Nunavut