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NLIS 6
March 17, 2005
(Executive Council)
The following was issued today by John
Ottenheimer, Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs:
Meet the Francophone Community Day
I rise today to inform my honorable colleagues
about Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. From March 4 to 20, Les
Rendez-vous de la Francophonie is a time for Canadians to recognize and
celebrate our nation�s French language and culture. The aim is to bring our
English-speaking and French-speaking communities closer and to foster mutual
respect between them.
Here in our province there are many activities taking place to mark the
occasion, and today, government welcomes representatives from the province�s
francophone organizations who have set-up an information display in the main
lobby of Confederation Building. The purpose is for all of us to learn more
about, and develop greater appreciation for, our province�s rich francophone
culture.
Notre province a une longue et riche histoire fran�aise et acadienne. C�est
une histoire qui continue � s��crire au 21e si�cle. Nous saluons les
personnes qui travaillent au sein de nos organisations francophones et qui
font du b�n�volat dans nos communaut�s francophones afin d�assurer que la
langue fran�aise continue � s��panouir et � prosp�rer � Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador.
[Our province has a long and rich French and Acadian history, a history that
continues to write itself in the 21st century. We recognize those
individuals who work in our francophone organizations and volunteer in our
francophone communities to ensure that the French language continues to grow
and prosper in Newfoundland and Labrador.]
I ask encourage all honorable colleagues to take the opportunity to visit
the display and to meet representatives from our francophone community.
These individuals have given generously of their time so that government may
learn about the work they perform every day to promote and protect
francophone interests in this province.
Today I also want to acknowledge the work of the Office of French Services
for organizing this event. This office is focused on building the provincial
government�s capacity to deliver quality services in French and to
contribute to the development and vitality of the province�s francophone
community. Through its various activities, including French language
training, translation and linguistic support, government-community liaison
and intergovernmental cooperation on Francophone Affairs, the staff at the
office ensure that we, as a government and a public service, do our best to
consider the needs of French-speaking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
To all those participating in Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, enjoy the
festivities.
2005 03 17
1:50 p.m.
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