OTTAWA, April 1st, 2004 -- The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament (Ottawa--Vanier), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced Government of Canada support for Cité collégiale in order to promote its French-language professional training."Cité collégiale offers quality French-language programs and services that address the realities of today's job market," said Mr. Bélanger. "I am proud that the Government of Canada supports the efforts of Cité collégiale to offer its recognized training to a greater number of Francophones in the region and across the country, which will assure them of improved employment opportunities." "In a world of increasing complexity that is focussed on information and knowledge, it is vital to give Francophones in a minority situation every possible chance to succeed," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "Thanks to the Government of Canada's support, Cité collégiale will continue to help thousands of Francophones reach their goals by offering them a learning environment that promotes their language and culture, and quality training programs that respond to the needs of employers."Cité collégiale, the most important French-language college in Ontario, will receive $133,333 to promote its French-language professional training to Francophones throughout the province and across the country. Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under the Minority-Language Education Component of its Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program aims, among other things, at helping provincial and territorial governments offer young people in French-language minority communities the opportunity to study in their language.Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.Information:Anne Ménard Executive Assistant Office of Mauril Bélanger (613) 992-4766 Mylène DupéréPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage(819) 997-7788
