XIIIth Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie – Provincial-Territorial Meeting
NEWS RELEASE – XIIIth MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON THE CANADIAN FRANCOPHONIE – PROVINCIAL-TERRITORIAL MEETING
For immediate release
September 18, 2008
STRIVING FOR ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP ON THE CANADIAN FRANCOPHONIE
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At their annual meeting, which took place yesterday and today in Québec City, provincial and territorial ministers attending the 13th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie reiterated their desire to work together to promote and develop the Canadian Francophonie.
Further to the recent publication of the Government of Canada’s Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality, and in light of growing needs across the country in the areas of French-language services, education, community development and arts and culture, the provincial and territorial ministers will seek to engage the federal government in further discussions with respect to current and future funding levels. Ministers urge the federal government to conclude a new generation of co-operation agreements with the provinces and territories without delay to ensure the continuity of services to Francophone and Acadian citizens across Canada. The ministers also expressed their desire to enhance their partnership with the next federal government with regard to the implementation of the Roadmap.
“Now more than ever, provincial and territorial governments are pursuing their efforts to increase ties and jointly launch tangible projects that meet Francophones' needs and expectations. It is very important that, along with the federal government, we continue to work to foster the vitality of the French language and French-speaking cultures in a society that is resolutely forward-looking,” stated Benoît Pelletier, the host and chair of the 13th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, in his capacity as the Québec minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and Francophones within Canada.
On the occasion of Québec City's 400th anniversary celebrations and of more than 400 years of French presence in the Americas, the Conference acknowledged that the Council of the Federation noted that Francophones figure prominently throughout Canada and play an ongoing role in shaping Canadian society.
During the meeting, young Francophone leaders representing various youth organizations reported on the progress of the Youth Action Strategy, an initiative that was launched at the 2007 Conference. They also invited the ministers to participate in Youth Dialogues, a series of meetings to be held in the fall throughout the country where Francophone youth will share their expectations and aspirations.
The ministers also released a brochure outlining Canadian Francophonie initiatives developed by the Conference and all levels of government.
The 14th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 23 and 24, 2009.
For information:
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Jolyane Pronovost |
Chantal Alarie |