Minister Chalifour Scherrer Announces $475,000 to Official Languages in Manitoba
WINNIPEG, January 16, 2004 -- The Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding of $475,000 for the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) to help finance a project to increase the visibility of bilingual communities in Manitoba."Bilingualism is one of Canada's greatest strengths," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "Through projects such as this one, the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba contributes enormously to the vitality and growth of our bilingual communities."
The "Un héritage à partager" project will showcase the value of French language, culture, and heritage, with the goal of encouraging communication between Manitoba's English- and French-speaking populations. The campaign seeks to promote the importance of bilingualism to youth and within various aspects of community life in Manitoba such as education, the economy, culture, and the workforce.
Established in 1996 by the Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba, the CDEM is a provincial organization with a mandate to provide services to bilingual municipalities in Manitoba and to actively promote the well-being of the bilingual community by encouraging and supporting its economic and social development.
The funding is being provided over three fiscal years as follows: $150,000 in 2003Ñ2004, $225,000 in 2004Ñ2005, and $100,000 in 2005Ñ2006.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Support for Linguistic Duality program. This program provides financial support to organizations seeking to contribute in various ways to the promotion and integration of Canada's two official languages, namely to foster dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect between the two official-language communities.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
[ Media Room ]
