Support for the Francophone and Acadian Communities

News Release

Government of Canada supports six organizations in Prince Edward Island

June 3, 2015 – Summerside, Prince Edward Island – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Egmont), today announced a total of $1,106,900 in funding for six organizations that contribute to the vitality of Francophone and Acadian communities. She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The organizations receiving funding are the Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin ($789,150, 2015–16), the Fédération des parents de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard ($180,000 over two years, 2015–16 and 2016–17), Jeunesse Acadienne ($55,000, 2015–16), Action Femmes Î.-P.É. ($37,000, 2015–16), the Fédération culturelle de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard ($33,750, 2015–16), and the Association des francophones de l’âge d’or de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard ($12,000, 2015–16). The funding will be used to support the organizations’ annual programming and is being provided under the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program.

Quick Facts

The Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin represents the Acadian and Francophone population of Prince Edward Island. It will continue to promote community development, implement the recommendations of the Education Governance Commission, manage the memoranda of understanding with the six school-community centres, enhance access to services in French, and foster a sense of belonging and pride in being Acadian.
The Fédération des parents de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard will continue to support Acadian and Francophone parents and exogamous families in their efforts to exercise their right to French-language education for their children and promote access to pre-school and school services in French.
Jeunesse Acadienne works with youth aged 12 to 25. Its programming includes activities focusing on leadership, arts, sports, politics, education and the development of cultural identity.
Action Femmes Î.-P.É. will undertake various activities to fulfill its mandate to improve socio-economic conditions for women in all areas as active members of the province’s Acadian and Francophone community.
The Fédération culturelle de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard will offer a series of activities to develop Acadian and Francophone artists in the province, such as training and development workshops and the ArtsSmarts Program, along with dissemination projects, live performances and film screenings.
The Association des francophones de l’âge d’or de l’Île du-Prince-Édouard represents Acadians and Francophones aged 50 and over. Its activities will encourage participation by seniors in their community and enhance access to quality French-language services.

Quotes

“Our two official languages are central to our identity as Canadians. Our Government is proud to partner with these organizations, which play a key role in the well-being and vitality of their communities.”

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

“These organizations contribute actively to the province’s Acadian and Francophone community and also help drive our economy. Our Government is pleased to support their efforts.”

—The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Egmont)

“The SSTA would like to thank Canadian Heritage for the funding provided to the Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin, Jeunesse acadienne, Action Femmes Î.-P.-É., the Fédération des parents de l’Î.-P.-É., the Fédération culturelle de l’Î.-P.-É., and the Association des francophones de l’âge d’or de l’Î.-P.-É. We are eager to work with these organizations to develop programming for 2015–16 that will showcase the Acadian and Francophone community of Prince Edward Island.”

—Guy Labonté, Chair, Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin