OTTAWA, March 31, 2008 - Young Canadians will have an opportunity to find summer jobs and graduate internships in both official languages this year thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Sylvie Boucher, Parliam mentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Status of Women and Member of Parliament (Beauport-Limoilou), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced support to programs in arts, heritage, and official-language community organizations.
Several projects under the 2008-2009 Young Canada Works Program will receive an investment worth $11.58 million. This investment, focussing on the arts, heritage, and official languages, will fund summer jobs and internships that allow Canadian students and graduates to work in French and English or to learn more about the arts and heritage. The funds are third-party delivered to employers through 12 arts, heritage, and official-language partners.
"Young Canada Works not only helps meet the needs of employers, but also helps young Canadians prepare for their transition to the workforce and appreciate the benefits of bilingualism in the workplace," said Minister Verner.
"Nearly 3 000 young Canadians will be able to take advantage of this program," said Ms. Boucher. "They will have a chance to learn about Canada's cultural heritage in jobs with museums and organizations involved in heritage and the arts, or to gain valuable experience working in their second official language."
"We are very pleased with this investment in museums and youth. Young Canada Works is a truly exceptional program which provides rich experience in museums and galleries in hundreds of communities all across Canada," said John McAvity, Executive Director of the Canadian Museum Association, one of the organizations receiving funding for summer jobs and internships in museums. "Young Canadians benefit from creative and meaningful jobs, developing skills they can use to improve our society."
Karlynn Grenier, Chair of the Fédération de la Jeunesse canadienne-française, another of the organizations receiving funding, said "We welcome this important news with great satisfaction. Because the Government of Canada is fully supportive of our objective to ensure the development of French-Canadian young people and recognizes the value of Young Canada Works, countless young Canadians will enjoy memorable experiences, while improving their second language. Linguistic duality is at the heart of our identity, and through this concrete action, we are contributing to enriching the dive rsity that gives strength to Canada and its communities."
To obtain a detailed list of organizations that will receive this financial support, please consult the attached information sheet.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
