Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Canadian Parents for French - British Columbia - Yukon Branch
NEW WESTMINSTER, February 26, 2003 -- Sophia Leung, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Kingsway), on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, today announced funding of $548,750 for the Canadian Parents for French - British Columbia - Yukon Branch to help finance its 2002-2004 administration and operation."This confirms the commitment of the Government of Canada to foster full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society," said Ms. Leung. "The French Immersion enrolment of the past three years for this province shows how parents understand more the value of learning a second language."
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of volunteers that recognizes French as an integral part of Canada. It promotes and creates French Second Language learning opportunities for young Canadians. In the 2001-2002 school year, CPF parents and volunteers in British Columbia and Yukon helped organize 111 socio-cultural events, 8 summer camps, and 51 information sessions for parents. They also made 33 presentations to school districts, offered 36 post-secondary scholarships to French Second Language students, and signed 5 major new partnerships with Francophone organizations. In total, 5 300 members of the 45 CPF chapters in British Columbia and Yukon contributed some 69 000 volunteer hours to this effort.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Official Languages - Support for Linguistic Duality Program.
Funding for the initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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