PENETANGUISHENE, Ontario, April 9, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament (North Simcoe), today announced funding for the Francophone cultural association La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie.
"Our Government is committed to encouraging community vitality and the growth and development of French and English across the country," said Minister Moore. "Our two official languages are an important element of what makes Canada so extraordinary. By supporting La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie, we are investing in the preservation of our cultural diversity, our identity, and our heritage."
"I am proud to announce this funding on behalf of our Government," said Mr. Stanton. "We are taking concrete action to promote and protect Canada's linguistic duality, as a shared part of our heritage. The Government of Canada recognizes the important role that La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie plays within this community, through its diverse activities and services, and we are happy to support it in fulfilling its mandate."
This funding will help support the social, cultural, and artistic programming that La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie provides year round in Simcoe County. In addition to providing a range of French-language services, the organization manages the French activity centre, the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO), the Radio-Huronie French-language radio station in the region (CFRH), and the Francophone multi-service centre in Simcoe County.
These funds will help support the year-long theatre and music series "La Vague francophone avec Franco-Simcoe," which will be presented by La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. This series will bring Francophone artists from three provinces to the region for nine shows throughout the year.
Funding will also be used to relocate the CFRH-FM antenna from its current location to one better suited for sending transmissions. Following the move, listeners will have access to a station that is clearer and free from interference. The relocation of the antenna will also increase the broadcast capacity of the station, allowing more potential listeners in the Simcoe community to tune in.
"This base funding allows our organization to continue to offer quality Francophone services to the entire population of Simcoe County," said Peter Hominuk, Executive Director, La Clé d'la Baie en Huronie. "We are happy to receive this support from the Government of Canada, which will allow us to continue to offer top-quality educational, social, and artistic programs throughout year."
The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $248,031 ($226,000 under the Cooperation with the Community Sector sub-component and $22,031 under the Strategic Funds sub-component) through 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.
The Government of Canada has also provided funding of $15,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (formerly Arts Presentation Canada program) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
