The future of our communities will go through immigration and will depend on our openness to new cultures. During the last week I attended two forums ('Religion and Society: Symposium on immigration, multiculturalism and social change in Canada'and 'Canada's Excellent Future' by Paul Summerville www.excellentfuture.ca ) - the message is the same.

Is our community ready? Do we have strategies to include futures immigration and to attract new cultures? Do we really want to attract people, families different from what we currently have in our communities?

The first step is surely to have openness and a true desire to work with our neighboring First Nations. There are a multitude of potential projects that we can do together in supporting and helping these communities to be successful in their projects. Success in their projects also means economic benefits and social consequences for our communities.

Reflection must take place and the actions must be implemented. We cannot postpone the reality - our community of tomorrow will be different from what we have today. We have a great potential to attract a different Francophonie. A niche market in Ontario. Why not?

Do not forget that our communities were built from waves of immigration!