Government of Canada teams up with ACFO du grand Sudbury to improve Francophone services in Greater Sudbury and beyond
News release
Funding supports federal Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration
February 26, 2024 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, today announced that a Government of Canada investment of $49,735 helped L’Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury complete a comprehensive study to improve Francophone services in the Greater Sudbury region. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Funded through FedNor’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI) for Northern Ontario, the study tells the story of Greater Sudbury's bilingualism policies, assesses existing services, identifies gaps, and puts forward opportunities for improvement to the municipality’s French-language services policies. This strategic initiative, entitled 50 years of municipal bilingualism in Sudbury: past, present and future prospects, is a partnership initiative with City of Greater Sudbury that aims to improve services and create opportunities for Francophones living and working in region. Key areas of focus include designated bilingual positions, increasing access to French programing and improving the delivery social and essential services to Francophones.
This investment supports the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration. The new Action Plan for Official Languages represents $1.4 billion over five years in new investments in the form of 32 new or enhanced measures to be implemented under four pillars: Francophone immigration, official language learning, community development and government leading by example.
Quotes
“Northern Ontario is made richer by its linguistic duality. This Government will always be an ally of official languages communities across the country and will fight for their rights. Our partnership with ACFO du grand Sudbury is an integral partnership that is leveling the social and economic playing field and helping strengthen French in the region.”
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Organizations like ACFO du grand Sudbury make fantastic partners because they share our vision for a thriving Northern Ontario that includes everyone. By supporting Francophones in Greater Sudbury, we improving social and essential services, while helping to foster economic diversification and business development opportunities made possible through linguistic duality.”
- Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
“Protecting and promoting minority languages in minority situations remains a priority for the federal government and is at the heart of the new Action Plan for Official Languages. Working with key partners like l’Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury helps ensure the vitality of francophone language culture in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury.”
- Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“We are pleased that FedNor recognizes the unique needs of Official Language Minority Communities and is stepping up to help us improve services to Francophone members of our community. Working with our federal and municipal partners, we are building an inclusive community where life is good in French.”
- Joanne Gervais, Executive Director, ACFO du grand Sudbury
Quick facts
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Today’s funding is provided through FedNor’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI), which supports innovation, economic diversification and business growth among francophone communities in Northern Ontario.
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ACFO du grand Sudbury’s vision is an inclusive community where life is good in French. By consulting with the French-speaking community in its territory, the association engages and mobilizes the community, monitors the rights of French speakers and advances the priorities of the French-speaking community.
Associated links
Contacts
Jennifer Kozelj
Acting Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Media Relations
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