Florent Pigeyre is a candidate for theBy-election of the councils of French expatriates for the 4th District of Canada (Montreal, Halifax, Moncton). He belongs to the list “En Marche! Presidential Majority” and brings us back to his program.

Can you introduce yourself in a few sentences?

I’m Florent Pigeyre and I’m proud to be the ON official list! MAJORITY OF THE PRESIDENT, with the inauguration of the Republic Party in March! henceforth called the Renaissance.

I’ve been an engineer in French Quebec for 21 years and have lived in Montreal with my family for 11 years. I coordinate large IT projects across North America: providing solutions for railroad police, migrating data centers to the cloud in finance.

Naturally committed and as a parent of Lycée français Marie-de-France students, I am responsible for various associations such as Francogénie, which helps French engineers integrate in Quebec. I enjoy contributing to the development of my community.

My commitment today as list leader is the result of a political observation that I have been making for several years: increase in extremes, ecological and humanitarian crisis, distrust of institutions. My resilience and free will encourage me to move from being a spectator to being an actor. Politically, my commitment as a member of the movement founded by Emmanuel Macron has gradually led me to, since 2020, the 17 North American local committees of the Republic on the Move!

How did you compile your list?

Because environmental issues matter, the first competitor – Sophie CHAINEL – was selected for her management skills in sustainable innovation with the goal of bringing about the environmental changes needed for our future on Earth. Equality and inclusion are her favorite pillars of inspiration for this early wanderer.

Together, we maintain a common, all-ages, Republican, Progressive, Green, and Feminist list. It brings together French people from across the equestrian sport with fellow runners, living from Gatineau in the west to Nova Scotia in the east, spanning the Montreal region.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for the French in Montreal?

The consultation carried out by the list of the Presidential Majority during the campaign highlighted 2 expectations in particular; the simplification of administrative procedures (e.g. renewal of passports), access to information related to French pension and French Canadian tax procedures.

In addition, the French have expectations related to health, returning to France, the environment, education, solidarity and the recognition of diplomas. To help resolve these issues, we will leverage our closeness to our Deputy Secretary Christopher Weissberg, our Senator Samantha Cazebonne, and our Foreign Minister Olivier Becht.

What does the main task of advising French people living abroad mean to you?

Beyond the legally defined role that positions the advisers to French nationals abroad as locally elected representatives of the French in the consulates, my aim is to deepen the solutions that need to be implemented to respond to the problems facing the French in North America .

My commitment as a future advisor to the French living abroad will also aim to bring civil society and politics into harmony.

Can you tell us something about the main lines of your program?

The commitments on our list are as follows;

1. Present and solve problems

– Representation of the French community to the administrative and consular authorities, elected officials and the French government in order to find appropriate and quick solutions.

– Contribution to solving problems (retirement, taxation, health, return to France, passport application, environment, recognition of diplomas, scholarships, etc.). Inform and report regularly to the French in our constituency.

2. Simplify

– Guidance and support for our compatriots in dealing with the administration, especially with vulnerable people.

– Support to facilitate the steps to be taken in Canada or to prepare a return to France.

– Support for the dematerialization of administrative procedures (e.g. passport renewal, authorization, online voting, issuance of life certificates) without going to the consulate.

– Support for the implementation of the “France Services Français de l’Etranger” telephone platform, which will allow all public services to be reached 24/7.

3. Association and Environment

– Support the increase in subsidies for associations that support French expatriates and promote environmental initiatives.

– Support the creation of the forest for French nationals abroad.

4. Education and Culture

– Supporting the maintenance of tuition fees for the schools of the Agency for Teaching French Abroad, accessible to all, while modernizing their operations to accommodate as many people as possible and improve their quality.

– Supporting the extension of Pass Culture to French children living abroad. 300 euros to discover a cultural offer.

– Support cultural initiatives that contribute to French influence and integration into Canadian communities.

5. Protect

– Coordinate and promote solidary citizen initiatives in partnership with associations to create a true community of mutual aid

– Support the abolition of the waiting period for claiming health insurance coverage in France in the event of a crisis, e.g. B. during the pandemic.

– Supporting the creation of a “fallback residency” status in France, allowing French expatriates to return to the country at any time. The French resident benefits from certain tax advantages of the main residence.

6. Students and young professionals

– Supporters of student mobility between France and Canada

– Promoting the equivalence of diplomas to make life easier for expatriates when looking for a job.

– Supporting the adaptation of the Universal National Service to young French people living abroad.

7.Europe

– Supporting the development of a European home in North America.

More information on consular elections and other lists: Montreal by-elections: procedures and candidates.