BROOKS, Alberta, July 30, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), today announced funding for the Association francophone de Brooks.
With this support, the Association francophone de Brooks will have the resources it needs to enhance the vitality of the Francophone community it serves by funding its own activities and advancing initiatives that unite the community.
"We recognize the importance of linguistic duality as an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is committed to fostering the development of minority Francophone communities."
"I am pleased to announce funding to the Association francophone de Brooks," said Mr. Payne. "This funding is another example of our Government's contribution to supporting Francophones across our great nation."
"We are very proud to be contributing to the spread of French language and culture and to the promotion of linguistic duality in Brooks," said Sa Eva Katusevanako, Executive Director of the Association francophone de Brooks. "Our priority is to increase the Francophone minority's access to various government programs and community services in French."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $35,000 under the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. As with the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, support for this project reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to linguistic duality and the vitality of official-language minority communities. The Roadmap is an unprecedented five-year $1.1 billion cross-jurisdictional investment.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
