Harper Government Invests in Canada's Youth: Forum for Young Canadians

OTTAWA, April 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Young people will have the opportunity to come to Ottawa and learn more about how our parliamentary system works, thanks to an effective, affordable investment from the Government of Canada. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced stable, multiyear funding for Forum for Young Canadians.

Forum for Young Canadians, now in its 37^th year, is an annual series of one-week sessions held in the fall and spring. Each year, a total of 315 young Canadians aged 15 to 19 come to Parliament Hill to experience first-hand how the Government of Canada works.

Canadian Heritage is investing more than $80 million each year in youth programming to allow more than 100,000 youth across Canada to learn about their country.

"Forum for Young Canadians is making government interesting and relevant to young people by recreating for them how it works in our nation's capital," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is pleased to invest in this effective, affordable program, which helps the future leaders of our country. Providing experiences like these to young people helps strengthen our great nation."

"Support from the government is a critical element of our success as we build on Forum's programs to educate and engage young Canadians from coast to coast to coast in our democratic process. We are proud to see our partnerships with the public and private sector continue to grow for the benefit of the students who participate in our unique national program," said Cate McCready, Chair of the Foundation for the Study of Processes of Government in Canada, which supports Forum. "We thank the Government of Canada for its continuing investment in our program."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $1,155,000 over three years through the Exchanges Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This initiative helps Canadian youth connect with one another, experience the diversity of Canada's communities, languages, and cultures, and get involved in the future of the country.

For further information:

(media only), please contact:

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

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[e-mail]

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