Harper Government Invests in Francophone Communities in the Prairies, the West and the North

WINNIPEG, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Francophone communities in the Prairies, the West, and the North will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities that will support French language and culture, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Funding will support 10 projects involving the Francophone and Francophile population. Projects that will contribute to the development of these Francophone communities include the 22^nd Parlement franco-canadien du Nord et de l'Ouest, an exhibition covering 100 years of Franco-Manitoban history through the archives of La Liberté, the development of rural Francophone communities, technical training opportunities, and services in journalism, management, and sound recording.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in organizations that help define Canadian identity," said Minister Moore. "By supporting such organizations, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support our arts, culture, heritage, and official languages."

"Our Francophone community remains alive and well thanks to the contribution of organizations that choose to work in their fields in French," said Mrs. Glover. "Through this investment, they will be able to carry out projects that promote the vitality and long-term development of their community."

"Investments in Manitoba's Francophone community allow us to realize our full potential and to contribute daily to the socioeconomic development of Manitoba and Canada," said Daniel Boucher, President and Executive Director of the Société franco-manitobaine. "These investments are essential to our shared vision of a Canada where French can continue to grow and develop."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $656,820 through the Official Languages Support Programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. These programs aim to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

For more details on the funding, see the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Official Languages - Development of Official-Language Communities Program This program aims to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
Winnipeg	Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba	Manitoba-Quebec business space	$25,370 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Alliance chorale Manitoba	Singing our hearts out!	$35,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	L'Association culturelle franco-manitobaine	Support for the artistic creation of community books, phase 2	$55,000 (2012-2014)
Winnipeg	L'Association des radios communautaires de l'Ouest et des Territoires (L'ARCOT)	Together for development	$40,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Conseil jeunesse provincial	Parlement franco-canadien du Nord et de l'Ouest	$40,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Presse-Ouest	La Liberté - 100 years in words and pictures	$75,000 (2012-2014)
Winnipeg	Réseau des grands espaces	Contact Ouest - Yukon Edition	$47,450 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Société franco-manitobaine	Franco-Manitoban rural development	$279,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	La Société historique de Saint-Boniface	Oral history - education sector, phase II	$30,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Le 100 Nons	Development of singers-songwriters-composers	$30,000 (2012-2013)
			TOTAL: $656,820

For further information:

(media only), please contact:

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

Francine D. Lefebvre
Director
Regional Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 204-899-8611
[e-mail]

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

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