International Organization of Francophonie: At the Quebec office, “Please leave a message”

To leave a message at the office of the Francophone Institute for Sustainable Development in the national capital, you must first listen to a message broadcast only in English.

This subsidiary of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) is located at 200 chemin Sainte-Foy, in a building that houses many of Quebec's government organizations, and has been in Quebec for more than 30 years.

However, the public is invited to leave a message in Shakespeare's language only.

After learning of the situation, the organization announced that it would quickly correct the situation. “This is good, we have planned the intervention of telephony and IT technicians tomorrow at 12 noon. We will be able to rectify the situation,” confirms its director, Cecile Martin-Phibbs.

Note that the first welcome message is already in French. Once the reception is determined things get complicated.

Magazine She contacted the institute while trying to reach another OIF office in Quebec, which Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo announced in 2022.

But it requires the determination to create a Representation for the Americas (REPAM), a body that is supposed to “cover the Francophonie of the Americas” of the International Organization of Francophonie and headed by Zahra Kamel Ali.

Neither the address nor the phone number are readily available online.

Wrong number

Instead, the first phone number, found on the Canadian Global Affairs website, led us to a simple citizen, who was quite surprised to learn that he was supposed to represent a major international diplomatic organization.

Eventually, thanks to the contract between REPAM and the Ministry of International Relations, which is online, we were able to contact the Quebec office of the International Organization of La Francophonie, also located at 200 chemin Sainte-Foy.

The man responded with a simple “hello,” without introducing himself or identifying the organization he represented.

When asked how many people work in this diplomatic mission, the man asked to send our questions via email.

After several days, the newspaper Receive explanations by email.

Opened in 2023

The International Organization of Francophonie representation, which finally opened in January 2023, is “fully operational” and about ten people work there, the unsigned letter explains.

Its contact details can be found on its Facebook page, and we can confirm that the organization is working to increase its online visibility.

“Furthermore, REPAM works to increase the visibility and influence of Francophonie in the Americas region through a more influential network and a more assertive political and diplomatic dimension,” the email continues.

Its scope of work covers “nine Member States and Governments, including three full members: Canada, Canada-New Brunswick, and Canada-Quebec and six observer members; We show Argentina, Canada, Ontario, Costa Rica, Louisiana, Mexico and Uruguay.