VANCOUVER, March 20, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced implementation of the new Cultural Development Fund, which aims to contribute to the cultural and artistic development and visibility of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities. By doing this, the government is meeting a commitment made last June with the launch of the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.
"Our Government strongly believes that Francophone and Anglophone minority communities contribute to the cultural and artistic enrichment of Canada," said Minister Moore. "The Cultural Development Fund supports and strengthens cultural and artistic action by the communities, while fostering their cultural expression."
Starting April 1, 2009, the Fund will help promote the contribution of the arts, culture, and heritage to the sustainable development of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities. It will foster identity building and a sense of belonging within the communities. It will also help all of Canadian society have access to the communities' rich cultural, artistic, and heritage expression. The Cultural Development Fund will have funding of $14 million over four years, or $3.5 million a year.
The Fund joins other cultural programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage and its agencies that have supported the development of professionals in arts and culture for a number of years. It adds to the funding allocated for cooperation agreements or the Intergovernmental Cooperation on Minority-Language Services sub-component.
The Cultural Development Fund was announced as part of the Roadmap, an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years. Implementation of the Fund reaffirms the commitment of the Government of Canada to linguistic duality and the vitality of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities.
Information: Stephanie Rea
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
stephanie.rea@pch.gc.ca Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[ Main Menu ]
