FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2001

Intergovernmental Relations

MLA GIVEN FRANCOPHONE RESPONSIBILITIES

VICTORIA - Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Richard Stewart has been appointed MLA responsible for francophone affairs by Premier Gordon Campbell.

"Richard Stewart will strengthen the relationship between the government of British Columbia and the francophone community," said Greg Halsey-Brandt, minister of state for intergovernmental relations. "He will also work with other governments across Canada on strengthening French language communities."

"I look forward to working with British Columbia's francophones and representing them in federal-provincial discussions," said Stewart, who was raised in the French-Canadian community of Maillardville and is bilingual. "Being francophone, I understand some of the issues and needs, and I believe we can move forward on many of them."

Stewart will report to the minister of state for intergovernmental relations on policy and priorities relating to francophone issues. He will:

• Represent British Columbia in relations with the federal and other provincial governments on francophone issues.
• Serve as a liaison between the government and the francophones in B.C.
• Represent francophone interests to government and assist in the development of the vitality of their community.
• Oversee federal-provincial agreements aimed at promoting the French language and culture.

Under the three-year Canada-B.C. Agreement on the promotion of official languages, the federal government will provide the government of British Columbia with $1.5 million. The province's total contribution will have a value of up to $750,000 over the period 2001 - 2003. A consultation committee on the agreement has submitted its report to the government, and the report will be used in identifying priority areas for improving French language services.

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Contact:

Mark Collins Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat 250 387-0744

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