Boucher stepping down as SFM executive director

St. Boniface

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This article was published 20/03/2024 (793 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A key figure in championing French language, rights and culture in the province is retiring as the executive director of Société de la Francophonie manitobaine.

Daniel Boucher will step down on Aug. 30 after nearly three decades at the helm of the St. Boniface-based organization, where he has worked hard to embrace the need to be a fully inclusive body for francophone Manitobans across the province.

SFM rebranded in 2017 from Société franco-manitobaine to represent a more modern and inclusive identity.

Asked about the timing of his retirement, Boucher — who turned 65 last October — said it feels like the right time to pass the torch to his eventual successor.

“When I was lucky enough to come into the job, the people before me had built a solid foundation,” said Boucher.

“We’ve gone through some difficult periods, but I’d like to think during my time we’ve brought the organization further along.”

After such a long tenure, Boucher said there are a number of highlights he could mention. One includes the organization’s strategic plan in 2001, which addressed what the future in Manitoba would look like for francophones, which resulted in sister organizations in other provinces following that lead.

“In 2001, when we were mulling over our strategic plan, we were really taking a deeper dive into things,” Boucher said, noting the process involved taking a thorough look at related trends, statistics, methods and visions relating to Manitoba francophones.

“We developed a plan to expand the francophone milieu. It was about us coming out of our shell — opening up to new Canadians and developing French immersion, as well as embracing anglophones as allies.”

“It was about reshaping our identity, language and culture, and opening up to others, which was a major turning point. We adopted a 50-year plan that set out our long-term objectives and vision at that time,” he added.

Boucher joined SFM’s board in 1983, during what was known as the “language crisis” in Manitoba. He’s happy and proud a more collaborative approach has since been developed between speakers of the nation’s two official languages in the province: “We’re Manitobans, we’re proud to be Manitobans and part of the community.”

Boucher said another milestone event during his tenure as the development of the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine in 1994.

“It’s creation in 1994 was a very big event, “Boucher said. “It was lots of hard work, and lots of consultation, and a big change for the community. It was very significant time and event.”

According to Statistics Canada, 112,115 Manitobans could have a conversation in French in 2021, up 11,410 individuals from 1991.

The SFM board has hired a recruting firm to search for Boucher’s successor.