Manitoba bakery joins pan-Canadian initiative to support Francophone newcomers

A small-town bakery with a big community footprint has become the latest site for a national workplace inclusion effort. On March 20, the Canadian French Cultural Federation (FCCF) named Boulangerie St‑Pierre in Saint‑Pierre‑Jolys, Manitoba, as the newest participant in the Corporate Culture Initiative, a pan‑Canadian project that supports the integration and retention of Francophone newcomers.

The announcement, made in the bakery’s upstairs space, coincided with the International Day of La Francophonie. The Corporate Culture Initiative provides tools and personalized support to businesses and cultural organizations to help build inclusive workplaces that recognize employees’ backgrounds and talents.

Organizers say corporate culture efforts aim to energize the economy and strengthen the vitality of Francophone and Acadian communities across the country. To mark the launch, the bakery unveiled a mural celebrating its multicultural team. Boulangerie St‑Pierre is the second company to join the project, following Coop IGA in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

“This symbolizes diversity, collaboration, and belonging. In a Francophone community like St‑Pierre‑Jolys, these values are incredibly important,” owner Jocelyn Gagné told attendees, adding that newcomers enrich culture, strengthen the economy, and bring new perspectives.

“We are proud that our bakery can participate in this initiative which builds bridges between the business world, the arts, and our communities.” General manager Stephane Tetreault called the initiative a natural fit for the team. “The project is to gather our newcomers to make them feel like they belong here, that they have a home, that they have a family here,” he said.

Baker and pastry chef Rodrigue Djomeni, who moved from Cameroon, described a warm welcome and the value of learning alongside supportive colleagues: “They help us see how we can adapt, how we can integrate, and how we can enjoy our work even more.” Assistant manager and lifelong resident Evan Law said the process helped staff understand different perspectives and better support new arrivals.

“It really helped us open our eyes to what the realities were and what his expectations were,” he said of Djomeni’s first days in Manitoba. Saint‑Pierre‑Jolys Mayor Raymond Maynard praised the bakery as “not just a local business,” but a major employer, an economic driver, and a gathering place.

He noted the bakery’s long-standing role in hiring and supporting Francophone newcomers and said the launch of the Government of Canada‑backed Corporate Culture project is particularly meaningful for strengthening their integration. “St‑Pierre‑Jolys is a living example of a place where people come to work, settle, get involved, and contribute to the strength of Francophone life in Manitoba,” he said.