Harper Government Supports Bilingual Services in Ottawa

OTTAWA, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa-Orléans), today announced funding for the City of Ottawa that will enable residents to benefit from better municipal services in both official languages. Mr. Galipeau made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

"Promoting the bilingual nature of Canada's capital is a priority of the Government of Canada," said Mr. Galipeau. "Our Government is proud to support the City's policy on bilingualism and the steps taken to identify ways of improving the delivery of municipal services in French."

The City of Ottawa will implement innovative projects in line with its policy on bilingualism, which has been in place for close to 12 years. The main activities undertaken by the City will be to support language training and make employees aware of the availability of services in French, to increase access to entrepreneurship services in French, and to continue promoting a French Quarter.

"Canada's two official languages help to define us as Canadians. They are the languages of our national dialogue, and are part of our history and identity," said Minister Moore. "Our national capital should reflect this linguistic duality, which is helping us build a prosperous Canada together."

"Since 2001, the Department of Canadian Heritage has supported the City of Ottawa in providing services in French. This year, the contribution plan is aligned on the following principles: the enhancement of the provision of municipal services in French; the promotion of the sustainability of official-language communities, and showcasing bilingualism in the nation's capital. We are proud of the renewal of this agreement for 2012-2013," said Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $300,000 to the City of Ottawa 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.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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.)