Official-language minority communities are a cornerstone of Canada's identity and culture.
Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced investments of nearly $5 million to support official languages in Alberta.
Community organizations and the provincial government will benefit from this support, provided through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs (see the attached backgrounder for more details). These programs enhance the vitality of official-language minority communities, in addition to promoting, spreading and preserving linguistic duality across the country.
The Government of Canada is investing close to $2.5 million in 2023-2024 through the various components of the Official Languages Support Programs. These funds will be allocated to projects that aim to improve access to services, infrastructure and education in French in Francophone communities in Alberta. These components include the Community Cultural Action Fund, which supports and strengthens the cultural, artistic and heritage expressions of official-language minority communities, as well as the Promotion of Linguistic Duality component, which supports activities that promote a better understanding and appreciation of the benefits of knowing and using both of our official languages. This component also encourages the offer of services in both official languages.
In addition to these significant community investments, funds are being provided to the Government of Alberta for four other projects.
It is receiving nearly $1.5 million to renovate and refurbish the premises of the Campus Saint‑Jean, the Francophone campus of the University of Alberta, to increase support for the student body and administrative staff.
Campus Saint‑Jean will also receive $427,000 to create a professional experience program in association with local businesses in order to offer Francophones and newcomers an opportunity to acquire recognizable skills and work experience.
The Government of Alberta will also receive close to $290,000 to create and promote a Francophone environment for students by offering them French identity-building services in each of the 15 schools of the Conseil scolaire FrancoSud.
Finally, through an investment of $110,000, the Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta will be able to develop two promotional campaigns and hold a summit on French‑language postsecondary education in Alberta.
The investment announced today also reflects the $62.5 million allocated over five years as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. That support, announced by Minister Boissonnault a few days ago in Dieppe, New Brunswick, is intended to increase base funding for official-language community organizations.
These projects are possible through funding from the Official Languages Support Programs and the Action Plan for Official Languages.
