Governments Join Forces to Help Maintain and Enhance a Key Cornerstone of French Language and Culture in Alberta
EDMONTON, Alberta -- The federal and provincial governments as well as the University of Alberta have joined forces to provide $7.25 million for construction and renovations at the Faculté Saint-Jean. The construction will include building a new 100 student residence and converting the existing student residence into a cultural centre for teaching and research of the French language and culture. In addition the facility will include a small museum and international conference facilities.The funding was announced today at a ground breaking ceremony attended by the Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification on behalf of The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage; Denis Ducharme, Chair of Alberta's Francophone Secretariat; Dr. Roger Smith, Vice President (Research and External Affairs); Claudette Tardif, Dean of the Faculté Saint-Jean, and representatives of Alberta's francophone community.
The Government of Canada is providing $3.75 million in funding from the departments of Canadian Heritage ($3.05 million), and Western Economic Diversification Canada ($700,000 under the Canada/Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement ã WEPA). The government of Alberta is contributing $830,000 to the renovations, of which $300,000 is through WEPA. The University of Alberta will contribute $2.67 million.
"It is appropriate that, as we undertake this important endeavour, we are also celebrating, from coast-to-coast, L'Année de la francophonie canadienne," said Minister Copps." Canada's francophone community is a source of great pride for me and all Canadians. With courage, determination and solidarity, this community has successfully put down roots on an overwhelmingly English-speaking continent, and it continues to prosper and thrive."
"Converting the existing historic residence into a modern conference facility will bring new meeting and tourism opportunities to Edmonton and surrounding area and help to maintain Alberta's francophone heritage through education and learning," said Mr. Duhamel. "I'm pleased that the federal and provincial governments are partners on projects such as the Faculté Saint-Jean to ensure the continued existence of our cultural heritage and economic future."
The renovations will allow for the preservation of a substantial portion of the existing historic residence building and make the most efficient use of the existing space. The development of the Residence Centre will provide an important element in the Alberta francophone community's efforts to remain viable as a French-speaking community outside Quebec.
"The Faculté Saint-Jean has played an important role as a centre for francophone education and culture in Alberta and Western Canada. Converting the Residence into a modern teaching, research and meeting facility will ensure that role is continued in the future," said Mr. Ducharme.
"Over the years, the Faculté Saint-Jean has clearly demonstrated that a francophone post-secondary institution in Western Canada can thrive and build a reputation of excellence in teaching and research, while promoting the French language and culture," said Ms. Tardif. "This partnership between the federal and provincial governments, as well as the University of Alberta and the francophone community is key in ensuring that Faculté Saint-Jean is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
WEPA is a joint venture between the governments of Canada and Alberta. In addition to providing funding, the Agreement improves the efficiency and effectiveness of government economic development programs by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of governments in areas such as community development and science and technology.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Johanna MacDonald
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 495-4320
WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
WD World Wide Web site:
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca,
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Janet Harding
Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 422-0053
INFORMATION ON FACULTÉ SAINT-JEAN
BACKGROUNDER
--Western Canada is home to 190,000 francophones. In Alberta, the communities are concentrated in the urban centres of Calgary and Edmonton, and the francophone culture is flourishing in many outlying districts such as St. Paul, Bonnyville, Falher and Fort McMurray.
--Our nation's bilingual capacity enhances our export potential, and thus enhances the value of national output and increases national employment. A bilingual workforce is considered more mobile, more adaptable and more productive in activities centered on language-based services.
--More tourists come to Canada because of its bilingual nature than would do so otherwise. A recent study by the Organisme Mondial de Tourisme, found that 37 percent of international travel was directly related to cultural diversity and it is expected that this type of travel will increase by 15 percent until the year 2000. In Alberta the number and diversity of Franco-Albertan communities and their potential to attract visitors and tourists nationally and internationally holds great promise.
--There are also niche service exports based on language such as translation services, linguistic technology, and second-language teaching. The presence of vital linguistic communities living side by side in many of Canada's regions does more than express the linguistic duality of the country; it also enhances the economic life in the region in the following ways:
---the presence of a bilingual workforce can influence corporations considering investment in a region
---the existence of educational or cultural institutions serving the minority communities can encourage community members to continue living in their region where they, in turn, can contribute to the economic prosperity and social fabric of their region
---the presence of two or more communities co-existing in a region can be seen as more welcoming to newcomers who may consider establishing themselves
---minority communities often have the will and the means to create new institutions and establishments which will further enhance the region's employment base and buying power
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