The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, marked the contribution of the province’s Francophone and Acadian communities on International Francophonie Day today. This event falls within the annual pan-Canadian celebration – Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie which runs March 1-21 and is a time for all Canadians to come together to celebrate the French language and culture.
Minister Mitchelmore highlighted several activities held in partnership between government and the Fédération des Francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (FFTNL), including a FFTNL information display in the West Block of Confederation Building, a “Wear your Francophonie Colors” photo day and the inauguration of new settlement and integration services for French-speaking immigrants.
On March 9, Minister Mitchelmore and John Finn, MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, visited Cape St. George where students from École Notre-Dame-du-Cap participated in the Concours d’arts oratoire (public speaking competition), followed by a presentation and meeting with local Francophone organizations – Association régionale de la côte ouest (ARCO) and Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE).
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“Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie is a time for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the richness of our nation’s French language and culture. Having met with our own province’s Francophone and Acadian communities over the last few weeks, they never cease to impress me by their enthusiasm and drive to succeed as a community. As Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, I am committed to continuing and expanding government’s commitment to recognize the contributions of these communities and improve our efforts to better meet their needs from a service perspective.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Culture, Tourism, Industry and Innovation
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Learn more
Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador – www.francotnl.ca
Rendez-vous de la Francophonie – www.rvf.ca
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Media contact
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca