Minister Blaney Announces Support for the 6th Canadian Francophone Games

GATINEAU, QC, June 6, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF) to help it organize the 6th Canadian Francophone Games. The Games, which will be held in Gatineau from July 23 to 27, 2014, will give almost a thousand young Francophones from across Canada an opportunity to display their talent and celebrate their culture.

"Canada's two official languages help define who we are as Canadians. They are the languages of our national dialogue, and they are a part of our history and our identity," said Minister Moore. "Thanks to our official languages, together we are building a more prosperous Canada."

"The Games bring together young people from Francophone communities and help them to enjoy enriching experiences in an environment of healthy competition and cooperation," said Minister Blaney. "In addition to fostering youth development, the Games are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the Canadian Francophonie."

"Through its ongoing cooperation with the FJCF for close to 40 years, the Government of Canada has shown its desire to contribute to our goals of strengthening the identity of French-Canadian young people and promoting their development and the achievement of their full potential," said Alexis Couture, President of the FJCF. "Thanks to its support, the Canadian Francophone Games have been able to bring together thousands of young people from across the country, and we are proud to continue working with the government to reach our common goals."

The Canadian Francophone Games have a unique formula that allows Francophone youth to develop their talents through contact with others in three areas: sport, the arts, and leadership. In this way, the Games promote self-fulfillment, skill development, and pride in French-language culture.

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $1.3 million over three years (starting from 2012) for the staging of the Games through the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage 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.

On March 28, the Government of Canada unveiled the Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018. The new Roadmap focuses on three pillars that will ensure the vitality of English and French throughout Canada: education, immigration, and communities. As outlined in Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government of Canada is renewing its unprecedented investment in the protection, promotion, and celebration of both official languages for another five years. The full text of the Roadmap is available online at http://pch.gc.ca/pgm/slo-ols/strat-eng.cfm.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
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Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)

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