Minister Joly unveils a fund in support of official-language minority media, including youth internships.

“Our government recognizes that community media is important to the vitality of official-language minority communities. That is why we’ve responded with concrete measures in our Action Plan for Official Languages. The next generation of media professionals will benefit from internships while the strategic support fund will support projects that help develop a healthy community media industry. I would like to highlight the invaluable collaboration of the community partners that supported the timely implementation of this important commitment for our government, with the utmost respect for freedom of the press.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“Community media must look to the future, and we know that succession planning is a key element in ensuring the vitality of local news in all parts of the country. Consortium media members are already beginning to recruit young professionals in the field.”

 —Francis Sonier, President, l’Association de la presse francophone

“We applaud the Government of Canada for investing in this initiative. This new program allows young journalists the opportunity to enter the workforce, develop the professional skills needed in the field, as well as strengthen local media, which is is crucial to the continued vitality of our official language communities.”

—Sue Duguay, President, la Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française

• The Consortium des médias communautaires, a consortium of official-language community media serving Francophone and Anglophone minority populations, brings together the members of the Association de la presse francophone, the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada, the Quebec Community Newspaper Association, and the English Arts Network.

• Today’s announcement refers to the support announced in the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023. The creation of more than 100 year-long internships is planned starting September 2018 (from 2018 to 2020), in official-language minority radio stations and community newspapers. The program will be able to fund up to thirty internships over the years that will follow.

• Reliable and up-to-date local news and information is a pillar of democracy. As announced in Budget 2018, the Government is exploring new models that can support local journalism and news. Non-minority media should refer to the $50-million, five-year budget commitment to support local journalism in under-served communities.

• Canadian Heritage will continue to provide support to paid official-language minority community newspapers and magazines through the Canada Periodical Fund.

Related products

• Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future

For more information (media only), please contact:

Jérémy Ghio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
Jeremy.ghio@canada.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca