Action Plan for Official Languages: Support for Official-Language Minority Community Media and the Next Generation of Media Professionals Français
Minister Joly unveils a fund in support of official-language minority media, including youth internships.
OTTAWA, Oct. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - Our two official languages are an integral part of the Canadian identity. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the growth and prosperity of official-language minority communities while promoting our two official languages across the country.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, outlined the details of the support for official-language community media, announced at the unveiling of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future. Community media are essential to the vitality of official-language minority communities.
Under the terms of an agreement with the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, this support will take the form of 58 internships at radio stations and in newsrooms of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities. These internships will be created through additional funding from Young Canada Works. Minister Joly is pleased to announce that this funding supports more than 100 internships over 5 years, which began to be allocated in September. This initiative represents $4.5 million in funding over five years, responding to recommendations made by the sector.
The Community Media Strategic Support Fund, with a funding envelope of $10 million over five years, will be implemented this year. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance for projects that contribute to the maintenance of official-language minority radio and newspapers. As a next step, the Association de la presse francophone, mandated by the Consortium des médias communautaires, will conduct a strategic analysis of the situation, assess the results and make recommendations. The first projects could be allocated by 2019.
Quotes
"Our government recognizes that community media is important to the vitality of official-language minority communities. That is why we've responded with concrete measures in our Action Plan for Official Languages. The next generation of media professionals will benefit from internships while the strategic support fund will support projects that help develop a healthy community media industry. I would like to highlight the invaluable collaboration of the community partners that supported the timely implementation of this important commitment for our government, with the utmost respect for freedom of the press."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
"Community media must look to the future, and we know that succession planning is a key element in ensuring the vitality of local news in all parts of the country. Consortium media members are already beginning to recruit young professionals in the field."
—Francis Sonier, President, l'Association de la presse francophone
"We applaud the Government of Canada for investing in this initiative. This new program allows young journalists the opportunity to enter the workforce, develop the professional skills needed in the field, as well as strengthen local media, which is is crucial to the continued vitality of our official language communities."
—Sue Duguay, President, la Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française
Quick Facts
The Consortium des médias communautaires, a consortium of official-language community media serving Francophone and Anglophone minority populations, brings together the members of the Association de la presse francophone, the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada, the Quebec Community Newspaper Association, and the English Arts Network.
Today's announcement refers to the support announced in the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023. The creation of more than 100 year-long internships is planned starting September 2018 (from 2018 to 2020), in official-language minority radio stations and community newspapers. The program will be able to fund up to thirty internships over the years that will follow.
Reliable and up-to-date local news and information is a pillar of democracy. As announced in Budget 2018, the Government is exploring new models that can support local journalism and news. Non-minority media should refer to the $50-million, five-year budget commitment to support local journalism in under-served communities.
Canadian Heritage will continue to provide support to paid official-language minority community newspapers and magazines through the Canada Periodical Fund.
Related Products
Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
media only: Jérémy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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