Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Western and Northern Canadian Youth Parliament |
| EDMONTON, November14, 2005 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $40,043 in funding for the 2005 Western and Northern Canadian Youth Parliament. The funds will enable young Francophones from the West and North to take part in a model parliament in Edmonton this November. "For Canada to be a responsible leader and a model citizen in the 21st century, our young people must be prepared to handle the challenges that come with leadership," said Deputy Prime Minister McLellan. "This funding will enable some of our most accomplished young people to gain the experience that will help prepare them for important leadership roles." "What a great opportunity to showcase the cultural identity of young people from western and northern Canada -- especially those who face linguistic as well as geographic isolation," said Minister Frulla. "We all come from diverse places and backgrounds, and this youth parliament will help our young people find common ground." The Western and Northern Canadian Youth Parliament, hosted by the Francophonie jeunesse de l'Alberta, will bring 60 youth leaders, aged 16 to 25, from Canada's four western provinces and three territories to Edmonton. The participants will engage in model parliamentary exercises at the provincial legislature in Edmonton, where they will learn about Canada's parliamentary system, the major issues facing Canadians today, and the roles they will be able to play to shape the future of Canada. Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Enhancement of Official Languages Program. The program is designed to help organizations from various sectors initiate or continue activities that foster a better understanding and appreciation of linguistic duality and promote linguistic and cultural co-operation between the two official-language communities. Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. Information: Jean-François Del Torchio Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women (819) 997-7788 Alex Swann Director of Communications Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (613) 991-2863 Jean-Guy Beaupré Chief, Media Relations Canadian Heritage (819) 997-9314 |
