That’s
Canada !
France-Canada Relations
Benedicte Vercaemer
Benedicte is a young woman who left France to live, work and raise a family
in Canada. She now works as a marine biologist for the Canadian government
in Nova Scotia. Find out how she sees the links and the contrasts between life
in Canada and France.
« My name is Bénédicte Vercaemer. I am originally from France. I
immigrated to Canada. I’m a marine biologist, and I also have a family,
including 4 children. I fell in love twice at the same time: first with Canada,
and second with a man also originally from France. We got married. He was
a permanent resident, and I obtained my Canadian citizenship without a
problem.
I enjoy a variety of activities. In the winter, I go snowshoeing and skiing. In
the summer, I go canoeing and sea kayaking, essentially, any activity that
involves the water.
I live in Nova Scotia, near Halifax, by the sea. It’s a stunning area and I chose
to live here because I work here, I’ve built a house here and it’s a safe place
to raise my family.
I’ve had four children. This is the youngest, Roumain: he’s 4 months old. For
me, it’s a joy to have a family here in Canada because I can raise my children
in a safe place, with respect for the environment. People here are very
friendly, very open. I work from 9 to 5, which gives me lots of time to spend
with the kids in the evening. I don’t think that’s really possible in France.
My work as a biologist in Canada is pretty flexible. In fact, I have quite a lot
of freedom. I keep ties with France by participating in collaboration between
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and France’s overseas territories. We’re
working together to develop Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon’s aquaculture for
oysters and scallops.
I was very happy to become Canadian. The ceremony was very special. I
had never experienced that before. I had to take a test to see if I...if I knew
Canada. After the test, there was a ceremony where I pledged allegiance and
received my citizenship certificate and a little Canadian flag.
Government health services are quite different in France and Canada. For
example, there is less coverage for medications. However, emergency care,
hospitals and maternity services are the same.
In terms of education, I find universities a bit too expensive in Canada, but in
a way, that motivates students more. In France, university is practically free,
but students are less motivated, I think.
I think France could learn a lot from Canada, especially kindness. The
kindness is something that really surprised me in Canada and it’s...it’s very
nice, in fact, not to feel instantly judged. People are open-minded and don’t
judge you right away by the way you look, they’re very open.
Canada could also learn some things from France, for example, how to eat
better. I think that, in general, people in Canada don’t eat for pleasure, but
rather out of necessity, and they don’t eat well. I think France could also
teach Canada about loving one’s body, being freer with the body and nudity
in general. I find that some people in Canada are a little uptight.»
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© Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (2003)
That’s Canada !
France-Canada Relations
400 Years of History
The French colonisation of North America dates back to 1604 when the first
French colonists landed in Acadia.
New France, an immense colony covering a large portion of the North
American continent, was founded.
> The French colonisation:
• Sainte-Croix Island, 1604:during the first winter, almost half of the 79
colonists died.
The French quickly learned from their experience and became successful
colonists.
• Port Royal in 1605
• Quebec in 1608
• Montreal in 1642
Prior to 1759, New France covered almost half of North America.
Close to 35,000 French settlers arrived in New France between 1604 and
1759, before the colony became British.
Today, more than 5 million Canadians speak French.
Our Social Differences
Despite being infused with North American pragmatism and relaxed style,
Canada is still more «European» than its neighbour to the South.
The work environment is rich with examples of contrasts that exist between
Canada and France.
Public Holidays
• Canada = 9 public holidays (varies by province)
• France = 11 public holidays
Yearly Vacation Time
• Canada = minimum 2 weeks/year
• France = 5 weeks/year
Minimum Salary in 2003
• Canada = Average of 4,47 _/hour
• France = 7,19 _/hour
Retirement
• Canada = 65 years old
• France = 60 year old
Normal Work Week
• Canada = 40 hours
• France = 35 hours
Unemployment Rate in 2001
Canada:
• Men = 7.8%
• Women = 7.2%
France:
• Men = 10.2%
• Women = 13.6%
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© Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (2003)
That’s Canada !
France-Canada Relations
Genealogical Links
France and Canada have many connections, including family ties. In
2004, a genealogical research project using cutting edge technology will
make historical archives of the two countries available on the Internet.
Outstanding!
During the colonisation of New France, many families were separated.
Historic documents were disseminated.
Today, the archives are collected and digitised at the Maison de l’émigration,
in Tourouvre, in the Perche region of Normandy
French in Canada
The French language was brought to Canada by the first colonists in Acadia,
and it has never stopped being used or progressing since.
The French language in Canada
Today, several French accents can be distinguished across the country:
• Acadian
• Quebecois
• Franco-Ontarian - Franco-Manitoban
Becoming a Canadian Citizen
Canada is a welcoming country. Its immigration and citizenship policy takes
into account the contribution that immigrants and refugees can make in
building the country.
Here are a few of the criteria for immigrating to Canada:
• Education - Certifications of studies and the number of years studying
full time.
• Official languages - Understanding of English and/or French
• Experience - At least one year of full-time paid professional experience
over the last 10 years
• Age - Between 21 and 49 years of age
• Employment reserved to Canada - Before presenting your application for
permanent residence
• Adaptability - Easily adaptable to life in Canada.
Links
> http://www.canada-2004.org
The official Canada-France 1604-2004 Program Web site. Contains
information on major events and activities in France and in Canada as well as
an online game to test your knowledge on Canada!
> http://www.canada-2004.org
The Web site for information on the celebration of Acadia’s 400th anniversary
in 2004. This site also features sections on historic and contemporary Acadia.
> http://www.archivescanadafrance.org
This portal provides access to the virtual exhibition «New France : New
Horizons on French Soil in America» and to an online database containing
more than a million historical documents. A unique resource on New France.
www.cite-sciences.fr
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© Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (2003)
That’s Canada !
France-Canada Relations
> http://collections.ic.gc.ca/ile-ste-croix/This
This Web site contains a virtual exhibition of «400 years of History of SainteCroix Island». You can follow in the footsteps of the French explorers Pierre
Dugua and Samuel de Champlain who established the first permanent
French settlement on Sainte-Croix Island in 1604.
> http://www.civilisations.ca/vmnf/vmnfe.asp
The Virtual Museum of New France: A digitalised exhibition on New France
featuring maps, texts and illustrations.
> http://champlain.expomediatour.ca/index.html
A virtual exhibition on the travels of Samuel de Champlain.
> http://www.genealogy.gc.ca
The portal of the Canadian Genealogy Centre is a single gateway providing
electronic access to genealogical resources available in Canada. A valuable
site on genealogy and family history.
>http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/france/canadafrance/
Relations_france_canada-fr.asp
This site gives an overview of Canada-France relations.
> http://canadainternational.gc.ca/Doing_Business_with_Canada-en.asp
The Canada International Portal provides information on buying, selling,
investing or establishing a business in Canada.
> http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/youth/menu-en.asp
The «Youth on the Move» Web site gives valuable information on internships,
exchange opportunities and studying abroad. Includes information on
scholarships, grants and bursaries as well as travel tips.
> http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/france/visas/stage_etudes_
perfectionnement-fr.asp
Information on the new bilateral agreement between France and Canada on
youth mobility.
> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html
The Citizenship and Immigration Web site is the best source for information
on administrative procedures to immigrate to Canada. You will also find
practical information for new immigrants as well as a section on becoming a
Canadian citizen. Online services available.
> http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/france/canadafrance/franceen.asp
This page provides direct access to websites of the French Embassy and
consulates in Canada, trade offices as well as French associations in
Canada.
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Noel/angl/index.html
A virtual exhibition on Christmas traditions in France and in Canada.
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