Harper Government Supports 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie

ARGYLE, NS, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The community of Argyle will be abuzz with excitement as it welcomes upwards of 2,000 visitors for the 33^rd finals of the Jeux de l'Acadie in June 2012, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament (West Nova), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The funding will support the Comité organisateur de la 33^e finale des Jeux de l'Acadie (COFJA) in delivering sports and cultural programming, athlete services, and a publicity and promotion campaign for the 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie. More than 1,000 young Francophone and Acadian athletes from the four Atlantic provinces will gather in Nova Scotia for the games' finals, which will include a variety of sports, as well as social and cultural activities to promote Acadian and Francophone culture. The games encourage young Acadians to be healthy through sport and to take pride in their culture and language.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in events that promote our culture and identity," said Minister Moore. "By supporting the 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and boost tourism, while promoting Acadian and Francophone culture."

"Congratulations to the organizing committee and the community of Argyle for hosting the finals of the 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie, an event that celebrates both sport and culture," said Mr. Kerr. "I wish the young Acadian athletes every success in an event that contributes to the cultural and economic strength of the community."

"The organizing committee of the finals of the 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie (COFJA 2012) is very pleased to receive financial support from the Government of Canada," said Neil LeBlanc, Chair of COFJA 2012. "This investment in our Acadian and Francophone community means we can make it a memorable event for all the young athletes and those who attend. The event is also an opportunity for us to share our culture with families from the other Atlantic provinces."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $65,000 under the Community Life component of Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities program.  This program seeks to encourage the expansion of the country's Francophone and Anglophone minorities by enabling them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

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

 

For further information:

For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Gilles Thériault
Regional Communications Director, Atlantic
Canadian Heritage
506-851-3980
[e-mail]