Harper Government Creating Leadership Opportunities for Young Francophone Women Across Canada

OTTAWA, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ottawa-Orléans, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to promote leadership among young francophone women across Canada.

"Girls and young women have enormous potential to take on leadership roles in our communities," said Minister Leitch. "This project is an investment in that potential and will yield enormous benefits, not just for the young women involved, but for Canadian society."

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that young women in this country have the opportunity to fully contribute their talents to the community," said MP Galipeau. "Here in Ottawa, this project will encourage young, French-speaking women to aspire to decision-making positions and will allow them to develop the leadership skills they need to get them there."

The Alliance des femmes de la francophonie (AFFC) is receiving $199,000 from the Government of Canada for a 24-month project that will engage female, francophone students to explore the under-representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles. The project will take place in colleges and universities in several cities across the country, including Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Regina, Hearst, Moncton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Pointe-de-l'Église and Vancouver. In Ottawa, the project will be carried out in partnership with La Cité collégiale, the University of Ottawa, St. Paul University, Dominican University College and Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes. Participants will develop leadership skills by carrying out community-based projects aimed at helping women overcome barriers to their participation in civic, political and community life.

"We are proud to partner with the Government of Canada in engaging young, francophone women," said Jeanne Landry, President of the AFFC. "This project will give female students across the country the opportunity to develop confidence, overcome challenges, and grow as leaders; skills that will last a lifetime."

This project is being supported under Status of Women Canada's Call for Proposals, Setting the Stage for Girls and Young Women to Succeed. The Government of Canada has approved more than $5.9 million in funding under this call for projects that promote leadership and prosperity among girls and young women.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. The government's support through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2007, supporting over 600 projects.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:
Jan O'Driscoll
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. Kellie Leitch, P.C.,
O. Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of
Status of Women Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected] 

For all other inquiries, contact:
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications
and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: [phone]

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