KAMLOOPS, British Columbia, July 29, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Association francophone de Kamloops .
Funding will allow the Association to implement its 2009-2010 programming, which consists of a wide range of sociocultural activities and educational services aimed at promoting the French language in the area. As well, young Francophones and Francophiles from Kamloops and the surrounding municipalities will be able to participate together in athletic, cultural, and educational events and develop leadership skills through active involvement in the design and implementation of various activities.
"Our Government is committed to ensuring the vitality of minority Francophone communities," said Minister Moore. "We recognize that linguistic duality is an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians."
"I was delighted to have Minister Moore visit us in Kamloops, particularly in light of the support given by our Government and the Minister himself to the arts in this riding" said Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament (Kamploops-Thompson-Cariboo). "I was very pleased to join the Minister in announcing $63,934 in funding for the Association Francophone de Kamloops , an organization that plays a great role in promoting Francophone culture and the French language in our community."
"The Association Francophone de Kamloops is very pleased with the Government of Canada's show of confidence and generous financial support," said Gilles Viaud, President. "This funding means a great deal to our community. It will allow our volunteers and our staff to continue the major community development effort that they have recently undertaken with young Francophones and Francophiles in our region."
The Association francophone de Kamloops (
AFK
) has been working in the community since 1979. Its aim is to promote French-Canadian culture and the use of French throughout the region and defend the interests of the community. The
AFK
unites the community and seeks to address their needs by working in cooperation with the other Francophone communities in British Columbia.
The Government of Canada has provided $20,000 in funding under the Community Life component of the Development of Official Language Communities Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage aims to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities, and to enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
Like the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future , support for this organization reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to linguistic duality and the vitality of official-language minority communities. The Roadmap is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billon over five years.
Information:
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
