Executive Council
May 30, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs:

Minister Recognizes Provincial Francophonie Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize today as Provincial Francophonie Day.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has celebrated this occasion since 1999.

This morning, I was pleased to participate in an event organized by the Francophone Federation of Newfoundland and Labrador here at Confederation Building. I was honoured to join students from École des Grand-Vents in this celebration and similar events are taking place today on the Port-au-Port Peninsula and in Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I have been working closely with the Office of French Services, key departments, and the Francophone Federation to identify the best ways to implement the policy on French language services for the benefit of Francophone and Acadian communities.

This policy is helping us build stronger partnerships across the Provincial Government and identify tangible services that can be offered in both English and French.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to advise this Honourable House that on June 22 and 23, I will co-host the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie here in St. John's, with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. We look forward to addressing the priority issues of the Francophone community during this conference.

Today, I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating the Francophone and Acadian communities of Newfoundland and Labrador on this, Provincial Francophonie Day.

Thank you.

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2016 05 30                              1:55 p.m.