March 21, 2005 Church Point, Nova Scotia Francophones in Atlantic Canada interested in taking online advanced care paramedic training will be able to do so, thanks to Government of Canada support for a new distance education project at the Université Sainte-Anne. The announcement of the $361,840 contribution by the Government of Canada was made today, by the Honourable Robert Thibault, M.P. for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry Canada. "This project is an opportunity for Atlantic Canada's Francophone community to improve its skills through distance education," said Robert Thibault. "The development of our distance learning and training infrastructure will enable our communities to acquire the tools they need to ensure their economic development." The program, which will be offered starting in September 2006, will comprise nine media-based theory courses, developed by a team of distance education experts and medical content specialists. It will also include clinical and ambulance practicums, which will take place in the field, that is, where advanced care paramedics do their work. "With an aging population, health care needs are steadily increasing in Canada. It is important to connect with health professionals working in Francophone minority communities and offer them cutting-edge training in their language," said the President of Université Sainte-Anne, André Roberge. "That is why Université Sainte-Anne is focussing on distance education for this program and greatly appreciates the Government of Canada's assistance in carrying out this initiative." This project was approved under the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages, as part of the distance learning and training component, which ACOA and Industry Canada are responsible for delivering in Atlantic Canada. The Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages, announced in March 2003, included an accountability and coordination framework as well as investments of more than $750 million in education, official-language minority community development and the federal public service. FOR THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA: Atlantic Canada's Francophones interested in taking on-line advanced care paramedic training will be able to do so, thanks to Government of Canada support for a new distance education project at the Université Sainte-Anne. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Robert Thibault, M.P. for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry Canada. According to Mr. Thibault, this project is an opportunity for Atlantic Canada's Francophone community to improve its skills through distance education. The Government of Canada has contributed $361,840 under the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages, announced in March 2003. -30- For more information, contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Étienne Allard Senior Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (506) 851-2893 Martin-Denis Morais Regional Manager, Communications and Public Affairs Industry Canada (902) 426-5592 Johanne Leroux Communications Officer Université Sainte-Anne (902) 769-2114, ext. 341
