OTTAWA, June 6, 2008 - An investment by the Government of Canada to improve the organizational capacity of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario (AFO) will benefit Ontario's Francophone community.
Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages and Member of Parliament (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell), today announced funding for the AFO. Mr. Lemieux made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie.
The $762,700 in funding will help the AFO become an advocate for the development of Ontario's Francophone community and Francophone minority-language communities across Canada.
"I applaud the work of this dynamic organization," said Minister Verner. "The Government of Canada is proud to support groups that promote the well-being and development of the Francophone community in Ontario and throughout the country."
"Our Government is supporting the important work done by this organization, and we are happy to be able to help in a practical way," said Mr. Lemieux. "This support is one of the many ways in which we are helping Francophone organizations within our communities."
"The Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario is pleased to receive this funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage," said Mariette Carrier¬-Fraser, Chair of the AFO. "It shows how important Ontario's Francophone community is considered."
The AFO was created in 2006 through the merger of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario and the Direction entente Canada-communauté Ontario. It is the Francophone organization responsible for political representation and consultations among Ontario's diverse Francophone communities.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding under the Development of Official-Language Communities Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to promote the development of Canada's French and English minority-language communities and to help them take full part in all aspects of Canadian life.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Maya Kane
Regional Communications Manager
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416 954-6615
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
