Government of Canada helps increase participation in Collège d'Alfred french-language professional training programs
ALFRED, March 29, 2004 -- The Honourable Don Boudria, Member of Parliament (GlengarryÑPrescottÑRussell), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer , Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced the Government of Canada's support to help increase participation of Ontario Francophones in professional training programs in agriculture and agroindustry."For over 20 years, Collège d'Alfred has offered quality French-language professional training in agriculture and agroindustry, and responded to the ever-changing needs of the rural Francophone community in Ontario," said Mr. Boudria. "Thanks to this college, Francophones from the region, around the province, and the world over have access to courses that are not only in their area of interest, but that are taught in their first language. I am proud of the long-standing collaboration between the Government of Canada and Collège d'Alfred in preparing a new generation of qualified Francophone professionals."
"Agriculture and agroindustry play a key role in regional development in Canada, particularly in Ontario's Francophone regions," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "That is why it is important to give a new generation the means to acquire skills and knowledge in this field in their own language. Thanks to the Government of Canada's support, Collège d'Alfred will be able to attract more Francophones who are interested in pursuing their studies in French and obtaining training adapted to their needs."
Collège d'Alfred is the only French-language college in Ontario that offers training in agriculture and agroindustry. Funding of $33,334 will help reach a greater number of Francophones who wish to take professional courses in French.
Financial support is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under the Minority-Language Education component of its Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program helps provincial and territorial governments offer young people in French-language minority communities the opportunity to study in their first language.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget.
Information:
Julie Chartrand
Parliamentary Assistant
Office of the Honourable Don Boudria
(613) 996-2907
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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