Government of Canada Funding to Improve Access to Training for Francophones
News Release
May 19, 2016 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced funding of $110,000 to assist the Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon with renovations to the Le Rendez-Vous Francophone space, which was unveiled at a grand opening today.
Rendez-vous Francophone houses several community-based organizations that deliver services to the community, and the renovations supported Collège Mathieu to expand and open a new campus composed of two classrooms and two offices. The building also has a new elevator to allow full accessibility to services in French provided on the 2nd floor by the following groups: Assemblée Communautaire Fransaskoise, Communauté des Africains francophones de la Saskatchewan, Réseau de santé en Français de la Saskatchewan, Fédération des aînés fransaskois, Collège Mathieu, and Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon.
Quick Facts
- Additional support for these renovations was provided under the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, as well as from the Province of Saskatchewan and Fransaskois community funds.
- Collège Mathieu, a francophone post-secondary education institution headquartered in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, will be able to improve access to language training and welcome onsite students registered in a collegiate program at the Saskatoon campus.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding Canada’s official languages rights and promoting our shared culture and values. Supporting the expansion of training to serve students in their language of choice helps to ensure that all Canadians are provided with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of employment opportunities."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
"The Fransaskois community is a vital part of Saskatchewan’s culture. Facilities like Collège Mathieu and Le Rendez-Vous Francophone support cultural diversity in Saskatchewan while also improving access to skills training."
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"The Fédération is very grateful for the WD funding which increases the accessibility to our building and our community centre. In addition, the new spaces at the Collège Mathieu represent added value for community development that increases the diversity of services provided in French in Saskatoon."
- Gabrielle Lepage-Lavoie, President, Fédération des francophones de Saskatoon
Additional Links
- Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon (available in French only)
- Collège Mathieu (available in French only)
- Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise
Contacts
Rhonda Laing
Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 306-975-5944
Email: rhonda.laing@canada.ca
Éric Lefol
Director
Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon
Telephone: 306-653-7441
Email: direction.ffs@shaw.ca
Francis Kasongo
Director General
Collège Mathieu
Telephone: 306-648-3129 or 1-800-663-5436
Email: direction@collegemathieu.sk.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Hon. Navdeep Singh Bains Western Economic Diversification Canada Language and Linguistics Labour Education and Training Economics and Industry