The Government of Canada
announces renewed funding for La Picasse Cultural Community
Centre in Nova Scotia.
PETIT-DE-GRAT, NS, July 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Communities across Canada work tirelessly to ensure that
Canada's official languages remain
strong and dynamic. The Government of Canada continues to support its network of
partners to enhance the vitality of official language minority
communities and strengthen services offered in these
communities.
Today, Mike Kelloway,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and
the Canadian Coast Guard, and Member of Parliament (Cape Breton-Canso), announced that the Government of
Canada's continued support for La
Picasse Cultural Community Centre, by investing $354,375 over three years in its programming,
from 2024 to 2027. It will receive $118,125 per year. Kelloway made the announcement
on behalf of the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of
Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
La Picasse Cultural Community Centre is important to the Isle
Madame community. Investing in its annual programming will help
enhance the vitality of the community. In addition to helping fund
the operations of the centre, these investments will help give
Acadians and Francophones in the region the opportunity to take
part in more social, educational and cultural activities in their
language and in their own community.
This investment was made through the Community Life component of
the Development of Official Language Communities program. The
funding includes an increase as part of the implementation of the
Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028.
Quotes
"Community centres are the bedrock of our minority communities,
bringing friends and neighbours together under one roof. Today's
funding announcement in Nova
Scotia gives La Picasse Cultural Community Centre the
support it needs to keep providing educational French programming
services in Isle Madame while strengthening its Acadian roots."
– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment,
Workforce Development and Official Languages
"I'm thrilled to announce this substantial federal investment in
La Picasse Cultural Community Centre. This organization is known
for its community involvement and commitment to the vitality of the
French language. Our government is proud to support the vibrant
Acadian culture that is so important to Cape Breton-Canso and our entire region."
Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian
Coast Guard, and Member of Parliament (Cape Breton-Canso)
"The funding announcement for our cultural community centre, La
Picasse, marks a significant contribution to the local Acadian
community. Gathering places like La Picasse offer residents in the
region welcoming places where they can get to know each other
better and offer a wide range of Francophone programming and
cultural activities for all ages. We would like to thank our
financial partners for their support for La Picasse."
– Rochelle Heudes, President, La
Picasse Cultural Community Centre
Quick facts
Canadian Heritage supports two official languages funding
programs from which include several initiatives. These programs are
aimed at enhancing the vitality of English- and French-speaking
minority communities and promoting the English and French languages
in Canadian society.
The Community Life component of the Development of Official
Languages Communities Program allows the Government of Canada to work with partners to offer official
language minority communities access, in their own language, to
cultural, heritage and artistic community activities necessary in
ensuring their growth and development.
The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 involves a
total investment of $4.1 billion to
support seven departments and 33 initiatives, new or improved, that
protect and promote official languages in Canada.
This is the fifth five-year official languages plan in the past
20 years. The plan's 32 initiatives are structured according to
four pillars. They are inspired by government priorities as well as
issues raised by Canadian communities at the Cross-Canada Official
Languages Consultations 2022, as summarized in the Report on the
consultations – Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations
2022.
All provinces and territories are home to official language
minority communities, each with their unique realities and needs.
The Action Plan is aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced
by Francophone communities outside Quebec and Anglophone communities in
Quebec.
La Picasse Cultural Community Centre is a non-profit
organization that serves and represents the Acadian and Francophone
communities on Isle Madame in Richmond County, Nova Scotia. The organization's mandate is to
promote the French language and Acadian culture. It fulfils its
mission by organizing a wide range of social, educational and
cultural activities in French.
Related products
Minister Boissonnault announces significant core funding
increase for official language community organizations
Associated Links
Backgrounder: Details of the Action Plan for Official Languages
2023–2028: Protection – Promotion – Collaboration
English and French: Towards a Substantive Equality of Official
Languages in Canada
Official Languages Support Programs
SOURCE Canadian Heritage