NANAIMO, British Columbia, July 15, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, James Lunney, Member of Parliament (Nanaimo-Alberni), today announced funding for the Association des francophones de Nanaimo (AFN).
This funding will enable the AFN to continue its programming for 2009-2010 and thus maintain the activities and services offered to its members. The AFN is also targeting new development objectives in the community, cultural, economic, and tourism sectors by focusing on youth and diversity.
"Our Government has made a commitment to fostering the development of minority Francophone communities," said Minister Moore. "We recognize the importance of linguistic duality as an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians."
"Nanaimo's Francophone community benefits greatly from this federal funding announcement- most noticeably, the Maple Sugar Festival," said Mr. Lunney. "I am pleased to see our Francophone heritage appreciated and supported.
The Association des francophones de Nanaimo brings together Francophones and Francophiles from the Nanaimo region and promotes awareness and appreciation of the French language and culture. The Association has been providing the Francophone community with a meeting place and organizing sociocultural activities for people of all ages since 1978.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $60,584 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 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.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the coming into force of Canada's first Official Languages Act.
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
