Harper Government Consults Canadians on the Next Phase of the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality

VAL-D'OR, QC, July 11, 2012 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Jacques Gourde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, for Official Languages and for the Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec, today consulted official-language minority communities in Val-d'Or on their priorities in one of a series of pan-Canadian Government consultations on official languages.

"Canada's two official languages help define who we are as Canadians. They are the languages of our national dialogue and the languages that allow newcomers to Canada to participate fully in society," said Minister Moore. "Thanks to our official languages, we are working together to build a more prosperous Canada. This is why our Government is proud to hold these consultations."

"These consultations are an excellent opportunity for citizens of Quebec to share their thoughts and help us identify the challenges and priorities related to official languages," said Mr. Gourde.

The Harper Government has undertaken extensive consultations to meet with Canadians from all provinces and territories. In addition to Val-d'Or, consultations are being held in Victoria, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury, Québec City, Montréal, Fredericton, Moncton, Charlottetown, Halifax, St. John's, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit. Consultations will also be held in smaller communities across Canada.

In addition, an online forum will enable Canadians who cannot take part in the consultation sessions to share their viewpoints.

The Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years that reaffirms the Harper Government's commitment to our two official languages and to official-language minority communities.

You can access the online consultations at www.pch.gc.ca/olconsultationslo.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)