CHARLOTTETOWN, August 25, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, during a round table on official languages today, announced funding for 14 organizations in Prince Edward Island for various initiatives promoting both of Canada's official languages in the province.
"Our Government believes that investing directly in our Francophone and Anglophone minority communities helps enrich and strengthen our cultural vitality," said Minister Moore. "We recognize that our country's official languages are an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians."
"The ongoing contribution from the Government of Canada is invaluable for Canadian Parents for French's continued programming that supports learning French in Prince Edward Island," said Amanda Wilson, President of Canadian Parents for French - Prince Edward Island. "CPF's programming includes advocacy for access to French-language education, as well as acknowledgment for students and teachers and opportunities to practice French, as in our French summer camps program."
The Government of Canada has provided $110,000 in funding to Canadian Parents for French under the Promotion of Linguistic Duality component of the Enhancement of Official Languages Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage promotes better understanding and appreciation of the benefits of Canada's official languages.
The Government has also provided $295,945 to 13 official-languages organizations 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 these organizations 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 also marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of Canada's first Official Languages Act.
A backgrounder listing the organizations receiving funding, the projects being funded, and the amount of funding received, as well as a brief description of the various official-languages funding program components, is attached.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
