Harper Government Invests in Manitoba's Francophone Community

WINNIPEG, March 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The Francophone community in Manitoba will continue to thrive, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. Support for 13 organizations 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. Mrs. Glover made the announcement in the presence of leaders from Manitoba's Francophone community, along with the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie.

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

"The organizations receiving funding today play a key role in the development of Francophone communities in Manitoba, and we are proud to support their efforts," said Mrs. Glover. "Investments in official languages have significant social and economic impacts for our communities and for all Canadians."

"Manitoba's Francophone community contributes every day to the socioeconomic development of Manitoba and Canada," said Daniel Boucher, President-Executive Director of the Société franco-manitobaine. "The investments announced today further strengthen the partnership between the Francophone community and the Government of Canada and ensure the ongoing advancement of these communities."

Funding will support a wide range of initiatives that will help strenghten the economy, promote official languages, and support the development of the Francophone community in Manitoba. Among the organizations receiving support are Canadian Parents for French Manitoba, the Cercle Molière, and the Conseil jeunesse provincial.

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $1,970,400 through the Official Languages Support Programs. For more details about the funding, see the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Official Languages: Cultural Development Fund The objectives of this fund include supporting and strengthening the cultural and artistic activities of official-language minority communities to enhance their vitality, and giving Canadians access to the richness of the culture, arts, and heritage of these communities.
Winnipeg	Le Centre culturel franco-manitobain	Together in dance	$75,000 (2011-2013)
Winnipeg	Le 100 Nons	Music for youth	$35,000 (2011-2013)
			TOTAL: $110,000

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	Association culturelle franco-manitobaine	Development of regional cultural programming in Manitoba	$100,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba	2012-2013 programming	$110,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Le Centre culturel franco-manitobain	2012-2013 programming	$155,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Le Cercle Molière	2012-2013 theatrical programming	$140,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba	2012-2013 programming	$165,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Conseil jeunesse provincial	2012-2013 programming	$175,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Directorat de l'activité sportive du Manitoba	2012-2013 programming	$29,500 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Fédération des aînés franco-manitobains	2012-2013 annual programming	$61,750 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Maison des artistes visuels francophones	Contemporary public art at the Jardin de sculptures de la Maison des artistes	$55,000 (2011-2013)
Winnipeg	Société franco-manitobaine	2012-2013 programming	$679,150 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Société historique de Saint-Boniface	2012-2013 programming	$70,000 (2012-2013)
Winnipeg	Le 100 Nons	2012-2013 programming	$95,000 (2012-2013)
			TOTAL: $1,835,400

Official Languages: Enhancement of Official Languages Program This program is designed to foster among Canadians a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits of linguistic duality.
Winnipeg	Canadian Parents for French Manitoba	LIFE (Linking Immigrants to French and English) in Manitoba - LIFE in MB	$25,000 (2012-2013)
			TOTAL: $25,000

(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
[email protected]

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected] 

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