Our two official languages are an integral part of Canada's heritage. Living in a country that gives us the privilege of working and studying in our two official languages is an asset. Post-secondary institutions are at the heart of Francophone minority communities and are essential to their vitality and development.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface-Saint Vital), announced nearly $5.3 million in funding for two projects at the Université de Saint-Boniface. Minister Vandal made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
First project: Implementation of a software package for student record management
L'Université de Saint-Boniface will acquire a modern, user-friendly, secure French-language software package to centralize its operations and all its data for the management of student files, from student registration to their degree, including the development of a related digital strategy for online or distance learning courses. The software package will also allow students to access their file online. The Government of Canada will invest nearly $3 million over three years to this project, while l'Université de Saint-Boniface, supported by the Government of Manitoba, is also providing more than $1.2 million over three years.
Second project: Improving the positioning of the Université de Saint-Boniface
Secondly, $800,035 from the Government of Canada and $324,965 from the Université de Saint-Boniface, supported by the Government of Manitoba, will be provided over three years to increase the institution's organizational capacity to recruit students and modernize its communications and branding with Francophone communities in Manitoba and the Prairies, which will consolidate their position and standing in Western Canada. This project includes the development and deployment of modern promotional tools and an increase in the number of recruitment activities.
These projects are funded under the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction 2020-2021 to 2022-2023.
