The Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie Receives $40,000 in Funding
Member of Parliament Sean Casey announces funding for the Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie.
ROLLO BAY, PE, Nov. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Official language minority communities are an integral part of our national identity. The Government of Canada values their contributions and is committed to ensuring their vitality as well as promoting both official languages in urban and rural areas.
Today, as part of the Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie, Mr. Sean Casey, Member of Parliament (Charlottetown), announced $40,000 in funding to support the annual festival's programming. Mr. Casey made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.
This funding was provided through the Development of Official Language Communities Program, which supports the vitality of French- and English-speaking minority communities while promoting both official languages in Canadian society.
The Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie is a four-day gathering that enables Francophone and Acadian youth from across Atlantic Canada to get together, build relationships and take part in workshops that develop their leadership, communication, music and improvisation skills.
Quotes
"The Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie is the ideal platform for young Francophones in the Atlantic region to express themselves, discuss the issues that affect their community, and build strong relationships. We are proud to support the programming at this annual event. This Société nationale de l'Acadie initiative supports the development of outstanding leaders who strive to improve their communities."
‒ The Honorable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
"Francophone minority communities face very different realities and challenges, especially in rural areas. This funding allows young people to get together and better equip themselves to meet their current needs and have a positive and tangible impact at the grassroots level."
‒ Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
"This festival is an important step in building Acadian youth's identity in all four Atlantic provinces. It helps them develop a sense of belonging in the Francophone and Acadian community while connecting and building friendships with others. This year, 77 youth from the Atlantic region, Quebec and St. Pierre and Miquelon will gather in Prince Edward Island for a weekend of workshops, in French."
— Louise Imbeault, President, Société nationale de l'Acadie
Quick Facts
The Festival jeunesse de l'Acadie, organized by the Société nationale de l'Acadie (SNA), brings together young Francophones between the ages of 12 and 18. Each year, the festival welcomes between 80 and 100 young people.
The SNA is a not-for-profit organization comprising the four Francophone representative associations and the four youth associations of the Atlantic provinces. The SNA also has affiliated members in Quebec, France, Louisiana, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Maine, and Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Through historic investments of nearly $2.7 billion over five years, many organizations from official language minority communities, including English-speaking communities in Quebec, will be able to be able to make use of Government of Canada support to implement their projects.
Associated Links
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
(media only), please contact: Jérémy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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