THETFORD MINES, Ontario, September 15, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable, today announced funding for the Megantic English-speaking Community Development Corporation (MCDC).
This financial contribution to the MCDC is directed towards:
- 2009-2011 programming enabling the MCDC to pursue its mission, of which the main components are organizing diverse activities, facilitating access to English-language public services, enhancing support for youth in various fields, and enhancing its operations;
- the project, A Complete and Concise Portrait of our Community , being undertaken to conduct research to update the demographic profile of its area, and inform authorities and local businesses of the results. This project will also enable the MCDC to improve the way in which it promotes its services and programs to better assist the community.
"This year, we are celebrating the 40 th anniversary of the Official Languages Act , which is at the heart of our shared identity, and our Government is proud of the efforts undertaken over the years," said Minister Moore. "In fact, several measures have been put in place, such as the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality and a completely new program supporting linguistic rights. We are proud that organizations such as the MCDC are benefiting and will benefit from what these measures have to offer as they pursue their vital work within their communities, contributing their communities' enhanced growth and development in their first language."
"The expansion and the wealth of the great region of Megantic are built on the possibility of keeping people here. With support from programs such as the MCDC, our Government is demonstrating once again its commitment to supporting our communities and allowing our neighbours to flourish," said Minister Paradis.
"We are very pleased with the financial support granted by Canadian Heritage, both for program funding and project funding, and by the renewed trust that they are placing in our organization. The project funding will allow the MCDC to prepare a community profile that will help our partners and stakeholders better understand the challenges faced by the English-speaking community of our region."
The MCDC was founded in November 2000. Its mission is to develop diverse initiatives to benefit communities in the Chaudière-Appalaches/Érable region. It provides community services, facilitates access to health care and social services, and organizes cultural activities in English for all age groups.
The Government of Canada has granted this $157,283 in funding through the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Languages Communities program. This program enables the provision of access to services in their own language to official-language minority communities, as well as the infrastructure necessary to ensure their growth and development.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Éric Amyot
Director, Regional Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514-283-4027
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
