Support for the Francophone Community in Eastern Ontario

News Release

Government of Canada supports a project by the Association Canadienne Française de l’Ontario – Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

November 14, 2014 – Cornwall, Ontario – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is providing $75,000 over two years to the Association Canadienne Française de l’Ontario – Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (ACFO-SDG) to support a youth-oriented culture and heritage project that celebrates 400 years of Francophone presence in Ontario.

The announcement was made today by Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament (Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry) and Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

The ACFO-SDG supports the development and promotion of the Francophone community of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
The project’s goal is to grant 12 to 15 young Francophone people from the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell the opportunity to take part in a special edition of the Just for Laughs Festival, which will have as its theme the 400^th anniversary of French presence in Ontario.
The youth participants of this project will be expected to present comedy sketches they prepared following several workshops and training offered by the École nationale de l’humour and the Just for Laughs Festival.
This special edition of Just for Laughs will take place on May 28, 2015, at Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall. Professional Francophone comedians from Ontario will also be performing.

Quotes

“Our Government is proud to contribute to initiatives that enhance the cultural vitality of the Francophone community, while encouraging youth to celebrate their heritage in creative ways. By investing in Canada’s official languages—an integral part of our history and identity as a country—our Government is enriching the quality of life of all Canadians.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“I am pleased to continue the great partnership established between the ACFO and the federal government. We have been able to promote bilingualism and culture in our community with their support, and this program provides another opportunity to build on our mutual goals.”

—Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament (Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry)

“Organizations like the Association Canadienne Française de l’Ontario – Stormont, Dundas et Glengarry play a key role in promoting the culture and heritage of Francophone communities in Ontario. The support from the Government of Canada will give young people the opportunity to discover and celebrate their rich history and heritage while showcasing their talents.”

—Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell)

“Thanks to the financial contribution from Canadian Heritage, the ACFO-SDG, allied with solid partners, has been able to innovate and build a project for young people aged 14 to 18 in Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell that has the goal of transmitting language and culture to future generations. Reaching youth through humour is a winning solution, because playing with words while making people laugh is a positive, motivating and life-changing experience that helps forge cultural identity.”

—Danielle Duplantie, President, Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario de Stormont, Dundas et Glengarry