Canadian Heritage Supports Organization of a Conference on the Identity of French-Speaking Canada
OTTAWA, March 24, 2003 -- Dominic Leblanc, Member of Parliament (BeausejourÑ Petitcodiac), on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, today announced funding of $250,000 for the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA) to help finance the Vive la Différence, l'Exception Francophone Conference on the theme of Canadian Francophone minority communities' identity."This in-depth reflexion is essential for official-language minority communities to better understand ourselves: to know who we are, where we come from, and where we are going," said Mr. Leblanc. "The FCFA is the ideal organizer for this event."
Vive la Différence, l'Exception Francophone will bring together a hundred leaders, from official-language minority communities across the country, in the fields of education, economy, community sectors, and youth, as well as representatives of federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies. This event will take place in the fall of 2003.
Canadian Heritage's funding of $250,000 for the initiative is spread over two fiscal years as follows: $50,000 in 2002-03 and
$200,000 in 2003-04.
Funding for this 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
[ Media Room ]
