Official Languages in Nova Scotia Receive Multi-Year Federal Funding

News Release

March 17, 2014 – Halifax – Department of Canadian Heritage

Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced funding totalling $442,890 over three fiscal years from 2014–2015 to 2016–2017 for Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch. He made this announcement on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover.

The Government of Canada has provided this multi-year funding through the Enhancement of Official Languages Program to help Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch promote and educate parents about French second language (FSL) training options available to students. It will also help continue to foster an appreciation of both official languages and encourage the promotion of linguistic duality in Nova Scotia. The organization also intends to distribute FSL research material to parents, elected officials, and communities of interest using various media in order to influence FSL policy and programs.

Quick Facts

Canadian Parents for French was founded in 1977 by parents who wanted to ensure that children would have the opportunity to become bilingual in the Canadian school system.
Incorporated in 1984, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch fosters an acceptance and appreciation of both official languages.
In 2012-2013, total student enrolment across Nova Scotia was 122,643; 52 percent of these students were enrolled in an FSL program.

Quotes

“Our two official languages are part of our history and our identity. The Government of Canada is proud to support organizations that enhance the language skills and learning opportunities offered to youth in our communities.”
—Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“The diversity of our communities here in Nova Scotia will be strengthened through this investment by our Government. Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch allows parents and students to have access to more and better educational choices with regard to French as a second language, thereby increasing the capacity of our youth to learn and work in both official languages.”
—Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

“I thank Canadian Heritage for their ongoing funding so that Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch can continue its work across the province. From our French camps to public speech opportunities, bilingual career fairs, essay writing competitions, and much more, this funding supports everything that we do as a non-profit organization.”
—David Wentworth, President, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Branch