Supporting the Francophonie in Brooks

News Release

Government of Canada announces support for the Association Francophone de Brooks

April 6, 2015 – Brooks, Alberta – Department of Canadian Heritage

Francophones and Francophiles in Brooks, Alberta, will continue to receive valuable services and have access to programming aimed at strengthening the vitality of the Francophone community, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The Government of Canada is providing $45,000 in funding to the Association Francophone de Brooks through the Development of Official-Language Communities Program to support the Association’s 2015–16 programming.

This support will allow the Association Francophone de Brooks to offer a variety of services, including extracurricular activities for youth, a series of community celebrations, and social activities for families and adults. The Association will also work with partners to increase vital services in French to members of the community. These initiatives will help promote official languages and foster the development of the Franco-Albertan community.

Quick Facts

The Association Francophone de Brooks, established in 2004, is a non-profit organization that represents the Francophone community in Brooks and facilitates access to quality services, while also promoting inclusion.
In March 2013, the Government of Canada announced the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013–2018, which represents a $1.1-billion investment in official languages involving 15 government departments and agencies. It is based on three pillars: education, immigration and communities.
The Development of Official-Language Communities Program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada’s French- and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

Quotes

“English and French are part of our history and are at the heart of our identity. Organizations like the Association Francophone de Brooks play an important role in the ongoing development of Francophone communities across our nation.”

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

“Alberta is home to a rich and vibrant Francophone community, thanks in large part to organizations like the Association Francophone de Brooks. This funding will guarantee that residents of Brooks have access to bilingual services, while strengthening ties within the Francophone community.”

—LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat)

“We wish to express our gratitude to the federal government for supporting our programs. This funding will allow our association to raise awareness in the community in order to recruit bilingual resources, strengthen partnerships with local organizations to offer extracurricular activities to young people, and organize Francophone cultural events as well as a French music festival. Thanks to this funding, the Francophone community will have access to services adapted to its needs, and there will be greater inclusion of Francophones within Canadian society.”

—Sa Eva Katusevanako, Executive Director, Association Francophone de Brooks