The Government of Canada Supports Two Manitoba Francophone Organizations

February 19, 2009

SAINT BONIFACE, Manitoba, February 19, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface), today announced funding for Le Cercle Molière and La Radio Communautaire du Manitoba. This funding will help these two organizations with their 2008-2009 programming.

"Our Government has made a commitment to fostering the development of minority Francophone communities," said Minister Moore. "We recognize the importance of linguistic duality as an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians

Le Cercle Molière is the only professional Francophone drama company in Manitoba and plays a key role in the development and promotion of French-language theatre in Manitoba and all of Western Canada. Its annual programming includes a general public season of four productions, youth programming that includes the Festival théâtre-jeunesse and petite école de théâtre, and training for artisans such as directors, stage managers, set designers, and lighting, sound, and makeup technicians.

La Radio Communautaire du Manitoba (Envol 91.1 FM) is the only Francophone community radio station in Manitoba. It offers dynamic and varied radio programming, made by and for Manitoba Francophones. In addition, the station provides a unique communication and learning space for young people and gives them opportunities to learn the broadcast trade by attending workshops and contributing to on-air shows.

"I applaud the work being done by Le Cercle Molière and La Radio Communautaire du Manitoba," said Mrs. Glover. "The Government of Canada is determined to support the vitality of our province's Francophone communities."

"This relationship between Le Cercle Molière and Canadian Heritage has been well established for many years," said Paul McKenna, President of Le Cercle Molière." The support of Canadian Heritage is essential to helping our artists at all levels and allows Le Cercle Molière to offer diverse, high-quality shows to Manitoba audiences who are eager to see cultural performances in their mother tongue! Thank you for recognizing the importance of our work in Manitoba!"

"We are very grateful for this support from Canadian Heritage," said Annick Boulet, Executive Director of La Radio Communautaire du Manitoba. "Envol 91FM can now create a place for learning and participation so that members of Manitoba's Francophone community can have experiences in their own language, take part in Canadian society, and ensure long-term development."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $130,000 to Le Cercle Molière and $110,000 to La Radio Communautaire du Manitoba under the Community Life component of Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French- and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

Like the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, announced on June 19 of last year, support for these two organizations reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to linguistic duality and the vitality of official-language minority communities. The Roadmap is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billon over five years.