SUMMERSIDE, PE, Aug. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - The Acadian culture will continue to flourish in the six Acadian communities on Prince Edward Island, thanks to an investment in official languages from the Government of Canada. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament (Egmont), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
This financial support will allow the Fédération culturelle de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard (FCÎPE) to carry out the Résidence Jeunesse en Art et Leadership Culturel project in the Island's six Acadian communities. With this project, the organization hopes to enhance the cultural vitality of Francophone communities by providing up-and-coming artists with opportunities for artistic and cultural development equivalent to those offered elsewhere in the country. The FCÎPE also hopes to give youth and the communities as a whole the chance to enjoy the richness of their region's culture, arts and heritage. The project aims to reach approximately 250 young people aged 12 to 20.
"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today."
"Our Government is proud to contribute to this project of the Fédération culturelle de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, an organization that has ensured the cultural and artistic development of the Island's Acadian and Francophone community since 1990," said Minister Shea.
"The Fédération culturelle de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard is very thankful for the funding received from the Government of Canada," said Michelle Blanchard, President of the FCÎPÉ. "This contribution will allow us to meet our strategic plan's objectives relating to the cultural and artistic development of our young Francophone Islanders."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $76,000 through the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage aims to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
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.)
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