These funds will allow the Centre francophone de Toronto to move forward on its project to add community space

“During my tour of Southwestern Ontario, I had the chance to visit the Centre francophone de Toronto and witness the remarkable work they are accomplishing. I’ve met passionate people who are committed to providing a range of social and community health services that improve the well-being of Francophones in the Greater Toronto Area. Today’s funding will allow the centre to properly assess the growing needs of Francophones and continue to meet them.”

—The Honnourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“The federal investment will improve day-to-day life in our community by allowing us to analyse the need to add inclusive gathering places open to the Francophone community in the Greater Toronto Area in all its diversity. This funding will respond to the growing demand for services and is the first step to the culmination of a major project that is dear to us and especially to our community.”

—Aliou Sene, President, Centre francophone du Grand Toronto

• Le Centre francophone de Toronto is a non-profit organization providing social programs and services, health services as well as housing and legal services, primarily to Francophones in the Greater Toronto Area.

• Budget 2021 included $80 million over two years (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) to support the construction, renovation and development of educational and community spaces serving official language minority communities. This funding is in addition to the $67.2 million over five years in the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023 for construction projects related to educational and cultural infrastructure in official language minority communities. Some of these investments are part of the Community Spaces Fund.

• The Community Spaces Fund provides non-profit organizations in minority language communities with the space they need to offer social and cultural activities and services in their language. These gathering places encourage dialogue and support development at the individual and community level. Creating these spaces strengthens the capacity of these organizations and supports community revitalization.

• On March 1, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced an enhanced bill promoting the substantive equality of Canada’s official languages to adapt the Official Languages Act to a changing society. Among other objectives, the bill aims to address the decline of French in Canada, clarify and strengthen the section of the Official Languages Act dealing with the promotion of official languages and support official language minority communities.

• In the February 19, 2021 document, English and French: Towards a Substantive Equality of Official Languages in Canada, Minister Joly outlined the Government of Canada’s intentions to modernize and strengthen the Official Languages Act and its related instruments. The document revealed broad changes and new measures to achieve language equity in Canada.

Associated links

• Centre francophone de Toronto
• Community Spaces Fund
• Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages
• Official Language Reform Document: “English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada”
• Budget 2021
• Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future

For more information (media only), please contact:

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
marianne.blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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