Executive Council
April 25, 2008

Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec Sign Agreement with Respect to the Francophonie

Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec have signed an agreement in support of the promotion of the French language and Francophone culture. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs; the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs; and the Honourable Beno�t Pelletier, Quebec�s Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and Francophones within Canada, have signed a bilateral Cooperation and Exchange Agreement with respect to the Francophonie.

The agreement, which aims to forge ties between the two provinces in order to promote the development and vitality of French speaking communities � the Francophonie � provide a basis for co-operation and exchange in a variety of sectors: education, culture, youth, French language, economy, communications, health, early childhood, justice, status of women and immigration.

"This agreement will lead to the development of strategic and lasting relationships between Francophone individuals and groups in this province and their counterparts in Quebec in areas that are important to the protection and growth of the French language and culture," said Minister Hedderson. "Intergovernmental co-operation has proven to be an effective means to build government�s capacity to contribute to the development of the Francophone community."

"This agreement between our two governments shows our mutual commitment to the promotion of French language and culture and the will of our two societies to strengthen their ties" said Beno�t Pelletier. Qu�bec�s minister has indicated that this agreement also is the conclusion of an important process in which the Government of Qu�bec, over the last four years, has concluded similar agreements with all the provinces and territories in Canada. "I�m proud that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Quebec work together to increase co-operation and exchanges between our two provinces for the benefit of the Francophonie."

"As Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, I understand the leadership role played by Quebec as the only majority Francophone jurisdiction in Canada," said Minister Marshall. "Quebec has significant resources and expertise which, together with the efforts of our government, will help French-speaking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians attain their developmental goals. The presence of a dynamic Francophone community enhances Newfoundland and Labrador�s rich cultural heritage and contributes to its growing diversity."

Under the terms of the agreement, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec will provide funding from within existing budgetary resources to support various needs-based projects undertaken by Francophone organizations in both provinces.

A Standing Cooperation Commission comprised of representatives of the Office of French Services from Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat from Quebec will meet annually to oversee the agreement�s implementation.

During the signing ceremony, which took place before representatives of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Francophone community, the ministers announced the first project to be implemented under the agreement. Both provinces will provide funding to ensure the delivery of training in support of the province�s only French-language community radio station, to be launched later this year. The training will be provided by a community radio association in Quebec.

"Francophones have had a presence in Newfoundland and Labrador for over 500 years. It is clear that with supports such as this agreement with Quebec, our Francophone community will continue to grow and prosper," said Minister Marshall.

-30-

Media contacts:

Lesley Clarke
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-6026, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

 

Bill Hickey
Director of Communications
Department of Finance
709-729-6830, 691-6390
billyhickey@gov.nl.ca

Fran�ois Choquette
Secr�tariat aux affaires
intergouvernementales canadiennes
Minist�re du Conseil ex�cutif
418 644-5794
francois.choquette@mce.gouv.qc.ca

 

 

2008 04 25                                                    11:10 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement