CFA London celebrates its community launch and unveils the LondonFR.ca website to more than 400 Francophones at the closing ceremony of National Francophone Immigration Week 2025.
The Francophone Welcoming Community (CFA) of London, coordinated by the Francophone Immigration Network of Southwestern Ontario (RIFCSO) and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), celebrated its official launch on November 8, 2025, in London, as part of the Carrefour communautaire francophone's Francophone ethnocultural dinner. Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), celebrated its official launch on November 8, 2025, in London, as part of the Carrefour communautaire francophone de London (CCFL) Francophone ethnocultural dinner. This dinner, which has become a local tradition, is held each year to mark National Francophone Immigration Week.
The event was attended by representatives from IRCC, the City of London, and several community partners. Provincial Member of Parliament (MPP) Terence Kernaghan, known for his commitment to the Francophone community, also took part in the evening, praising efforts to strengthen the reception and integration of Francophone immigrants in the region.
Priorities for 2024–2028
The team responsible for coordinating the CFA London presented the national and regional context of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, as well as the priorities of the 2024-2028 community plan, which are based on the following three characteristics:
- Economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and employment
- Civic engagement and participation
- Equitable access to reception and settlement services
She also highlighted the role of the Community Advisory Council (CCC), which brings together local partners and members from various sectors to support the implementation of the plan and strengthen collaboration within London's Francophone community.
«The CFA London community plan is the result of a collective effort rooted in the reality on the ground. It reflects the priorities and needs expressed by the Francophone community itself. We are convinced that these actions will make a concrete contribution to the reception, integration, and full participation of Francophone newcomers in London.», said Nabila Sissaoui, CFA coordinator for the Central-Southwest region (Hamilton and London).
The first six months of the year 2025–2026
During this period, CFA London provided strong leadership, mobilizing partners around a series of activities as part of the community plan. Thanks to this collaboration, new initiatives—complementary to the organizations' usual programming—were implemented to meet the needs of newly arrived Francophones.
- Boréal College
Collège Boréal's immigration services team offers English language courses focused on in-demand occupations and a professional mentoring program for French-speaking newcomers to promote integration into the labor market.
«The successful socioeconomic integration of French-speaking newcomers to the London region requires the mobilization, collaboration, and commitment of the entire Francophone community in the region—which is precisely the mission that CFA London has set for itself.» – Quote from Abdoulaye Sako, Regional Director of Collège Boréal and spokesperson for the CCC
- London Francophone Community Hub (CCFL)
The CCFL hosts conversation circles to learn English in a fun way, as well as workshops and civic tours to better understand Canadian society.
«The Carrefour communautaire francophone de London is proud to contribute to this initiative, which reflects our values of inclusion and solidarity. Through our activities and partnerships, we want to offer French-speaking newcomers a welcoming environment where they can thrive, build relationships, and participate fully in community life.» — Quote from Paulette Desjardins, Executive Director of the CCFL
- Economic Society of Ontario (ESO)
The SÉO supports French-speaking newcomers in their economic integration through sessions and workshops on entrepreneurship, networking activities, and a virtual business incubator. Since the incubator was created in 2021, more than 365 people have benefited from the SÉO's support in developing their business projects. The most recent cohort includes a contingent of 17 participants from London.
«The SÉO supports French-speaking newcomers in their economic integration through sessions and workshops on entrepreneurship, networking activities, and a virtual business incubator. Since the incubator was created in 2021, more than 365 people have benefited from the SÉO's support in developing their business projects. The most recent cohort includes a contingent of 17 participants from London.» – Quote from Catherine B. Bachand, Executive Director of the Société Économique de l'Ontario
Launch of the LondonFr.ca website
In front of more than 400 dinner guests, CFA London unveiled the site. LondonCA.ca — a digital resource that brings together services and resources offered in French to facilitate the integration of newly arrived French-speaking people in the region.
Recognition and celebration
The theme of the 13th edition of National Francophone Immigration Week – Thank you for enriching our French-speaking community. – inspired the spirit of the evening. Certificates of appreciation were presented to several Francophone ethnocultural associations to recognize their commitment to the community. This initiative was carried out under the leadership of the Carrefour ethnoculturel francophone, a CCFL initiative launched in 2021.
The evening unfolded in a warm and festive atmosphere, punctuated by conversations, music, and numerous artistic performances—a moment symbolizing the vitality and diversity of London's French-speaking community.
About CFA London
The London Francophone Host Community (CFA) is part of a national initiative supported by IRCC and coordinated by the Francophone Immigration Network of Southwestern Ontario.
The CFA initiative aims to help immigrants integrate and feel at home in Francophone communities. It encourages partnerships and community-based approaches to:
- Facilitating integration : Helping newcomers put down roots in Francophone communities.
- Build relationships : Promote interactions between immigrants and community members.
- Welcoming newcomers : Create an environment where they feel welcome and supported.
- Meeting needs Adapt services to meet the specific needs of French-speaking immigrants, particularly women, youth, and visible minorities.
In addition, the initiative encourages the «by and for Francophones» approach» by offering a separate French-language fund for projects identified by the community.
The newspaper The Action is also preparing an article dedicated to this event. Read more by clicking here.
