The Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Construction of the School and Community Centre in Summerside, Prince Edward Island
MISCOUCHE, October 13, 2000 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced funding of $3.9 million from the Government of Canada for the construction of a school and community centre in Summerside."The Government of Canada's contribution is testament to its unfailing commitment to the development of Francophone communities in minority situations. The future of the Francophone community such as the one in Summerside is in large part dependent on the presence of Francophone institutions. The School and Community Centre in Summerside will allow our young Francophones to carve out a space in the world of tomorrow and to breathe dynamic energy into the cultural and social life of the Francophone community as a whole," declared Minister Copps.
The two levels of government are contributing to the project. On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage will make a financial contribution of $3.9 million, through the Official Languages in Education Program, and the provincial government will contribute $2.2 million to the project.
"The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner with the federal government in providing financial assistance for the new French school and community centre in Summerside," said the Minister of Education, Jeffrey E. Lantz. "The province will contribute $2.2 million toward the capital costs of the project. The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to the provision of French first language education to students in Summerside and this school-community centre will help to preserve and enrich the French language and Acadian culture in this region."
The federal contribution will essentially be used to build the community component of the facility, which will include a kindergarten, a daycare, rooms for community organizations and a multi-functional hall.
The Government of Canada's financial contribution to this project is in addition to the annual contributions of nearly $1 million to the province as part of the federal-provincial agreement on Official Languages in Education.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
Information:
Krista Pawley
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
IN SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Following the ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada, which recognized the right of Francophone parents in Summerside to a French elementary school, the Government of Prince Edward Island committed itself to ensuring French education in homogenous facilities in the area of Summerside-Miscouche.
Quickly, the community rallied behind the school and community centre project in order to bring together under one same roof educational as well as community services and resources that are necessary for the full growth and development of the Francophone community.
As part of the Federal Government's support in the development and growth of official language minority communities, the Department of Canadian Heritage is committed financially to participate in the construction of the school and community centre.
The federal contribution of $3.9 million will cover the community component: kindergarten, daycare, offices for community organizations, a multi-functional hall including a cafeteria, a stage, a lounge and a makeup room, as well as space shared with the school such as the gymnasium, the library and the computer laboratory.
The provincial contribution of $2.2 million to the school and community centre project will cover the educational space component. The school will be able to accommodate 150 students and include six classes, the offices reserved for administrative and professional services, a staff's lounge and rooms for storage and heating, the purchase of the land and the spaces shared with the community section.
The federal contribution is part of the Official Languages in Education Program, the aim of which is to help provinces and territories assume their responsibilities in the area of minority language education and second language education. Prince Edward Island will also receive nearly three million dollars over three years to help it implement a three-year action plan (2000-2001 à 2002-2003) on official languages in education.
The opening of the school and community centre is scheduled for the 2001-2002 school year.
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