SASKATOON, January 23, 2010 - Saskatchewan's French-speaking citizens will now have better access to government information and services in French through the renewal of the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Francophone Affairs between the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan. The announcement was made today in Saskatoon at the launch of the new virtual French-language Service Centre.
"The renewal of this agreement is a good example of cooperation with the Government of Saskatchewan and reaffirms our support for and promotion of Canada's official-language communities," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "This collaboration will help ensure effective and continued French-language services to the Fransaskois community."
"Saskatchewan's Francophone community continues to support the growth of our province. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to support innovative initiatives like the service centre," said the Honourable June Draude, Saskatchewan Provincial Secretary. "The centre will allow us to provide better access to government information and programs in French to ensure that our citizens receive quality service in the language they are most comfortable using."
The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are contributing equally to the two-year bilateral agreement, worth a total of $3.04 million. The provincial government will implement an action plan with three objectives: to increase its communication in French, to develop and deliver additional French-language programs and services, and to consult with the Francophone community about the development of programs on an ongoing basis.
Both governments are also contributing additional funding to the virtual service centre for its implementation and operation. The Government of Canada is contributing an additional $200,000 over two years and the Government of Saskatchewan, $300,000 over two years. The centre will provide the community with a single entry point to access government services and programs in French.
Part of the funding announced today is being provided under the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years. Support for this initiative reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to official languages and the vitality of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities.
For more information on intergovernmental cooperation on services to official-language minority communities, visit the website of the Department of Canadian Heritage at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca.
For more information on the Saskatchewan French-language Service Centre, visit www.bonjour.gov.sk.ca, call 1-888-345-0850, or email bonjour@gov.sk.ca.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Tyler McMurchy
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Phone: 306-787-5193
Cell: 306-537-7051
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
