Over the generations, Canadians have kept their official languages and culture alive and well. English and French are at the heart of our identity and values. Ensuring their vitality is essential and depends on building strong and vibrant communities. Making services available in both official languages allows official-language minority communities to flourish.
That is why the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, and the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, today announced a new cooperation agreement for French-language services for the period 2018–2019 to 2022–2023. The agreement provides funding of $3.5 million over five years, or $700,000 per year, split equally between the two governments, for services in French for official-language minority communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“The signing of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on French-Language Services 2018–2019 to 2022–2023 marks the 25th anniversary of cooperation between our two governments in the area of French services. Government remains committed to work together with our dynamic Francophone and Acadian community to improve access to services and information in French, and thus contribute to its vitality and development.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
“Today, we are reaffirming our government’s commitment to working with the community and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to better meet their service needs. Let’s be proud of what we have accomplished together, and let’s continue to make French-language services accessible to members of the Francophone and Acadian communities.”
Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.
– 30 –
Soutenir les services en français à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Learn more
Office of French Services
Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador 
Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL
Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Jérémy Ghio
Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
jeremy.ghio@canada.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca