Government of Canada supports the Association de la presse francophone
OTTAWA, June 23, 2005 -- Minister for Internal Trade, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and Member of Parliament (Ottawa--Vanier) Mauril Bélanger, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $209,000 in funding for the Association de la presse francophone (APF). The funds will help French-language weekly publications in minority-language communities target new markets."The Francophone and Acadian communities are becoming more and more diverse, and their weeklies must reflect these cultural and demographic changes," said Mr. Bélanger. "The APF project will enable such publications to better meet the needs of members of these communities and to succeed in a competitive media environment."
"Our government recognizes the contribution of organizations that represent minority Francophone communities, and it intends to give them every opportunity to continue promoting French in Canada," said Minister Frulla. "I am pleased that we are able to support the APF, which contributes to the dynamism of the Francophone and Acadian communities."
The support will enable the APF to undertake five pilot projects with the aim of increasing the readership of the French-language press in minority-language communities. Target audiences include youth, francophiles and new Canadians.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Development of Official-Language Communities Program.
Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget.
Information:
Jean-François Del Torchio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Orli Namian
Director of
Communications
Office of the Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
(613) 996-6708
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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