The Government of Canada Supports Local Governance in New Brunswick's Acadian Communities
News release
CARAQUE, New Brunswick, December 20, 2018
Our government understands that our two official languages represent an asset for all Canadians. English and French provide us with economic, social and cultural benefits. We are determined to support the growth of minority Acadian, Francophone and Anglophone communities across the country.
Today the Honorable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, announced funding of $776,000 to support a local governance project for the Acadian community of New Brunswick. Minister LeBlanc made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.
As part of this project, the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick will use collaborative actions to implement concrete measures to strengthen local governance, and foster coordination and consultation within the Acadian and Francophone community. The Association will provide tools and support to the New Brunswick Acadian and Francophone community to carry out municipal consolidation projects to improve French-language services and the quality of life in the Francophone community.
The Government of Canada is providing this funding through the Development of Official Language Communities component of Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Funding Programs.
"Today we are making a significant commitment to Canadians. We wish to play our role as leaders by promoting and preserving our two official languages throughout the country. We are proud to invest in our future and, above all, make a difference in people's lives."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
"Acadian, Francophone and Anglophone communities in all regions have worked hard to make Canada the strong and proud country we know today, a country where our many identities form the fabric of society and respect is a fundamental value. Through projects like the one by the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick, we will ensure that our communities will be dynamic and that French and English will remain present for many generations to come."
—The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour
"Francophone and bilingual municipalities in New Brunswick play a leading role in dynamic French-speaking community environments. This means that municipalities play a special role in a minority context, which is why New Brunswick's Acadian and Francophone community has identified strengthening local governance as a priority. The Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick is proud to partner with the Government of Canada to create the Centre of Expertise in Local Governance and to identify the current role of municipalities in the vitality of the community and strategic actions to strengthen this role. We look forward to sharing our reflections and strategies with other Francophone minority communities across the country."
—Luc Desjardins, President, Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick
Quick facts
The Development of Official Language Communities component is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French- and English-speaking minority communities.
On March 28, Minister Joly unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future. The purpose of the Action Plan is to support our communities across the country and help official languages thrive in the years to come.
The Action Plan represents the largest federal investment in official languages to date: nearly $2.7 billion over the next five years.
