NEWS RELEASE
FEDERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO
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Strong official language minority communities are essential to sustainable growth, economic opportunity and prosperity in Canada.
That is why, today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announced that FedDev Ontario is providing La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie (La Clé) with over $59,500 to conduct a feasibility study for a new Francophone festival in Simcoe County with expected economic and tourism benefits throughout the region.
Minister Joly made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario.
FedDev Ontario’s funding for La Clé is through the Economic Development Initiative (EDI), a national program delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada, which builds on the strengths of each region to facilitate sustainable economic growth in official language minority communities.
Quotes
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act this year, it is especially important to enable our official language minority communities to highlight the important role they play in a vibrant and diverse Canada. I look forward to seeing the results of the study being done and how the Simcoe region will benefit.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
“Our government proudly supports the vitality of official language minority communities across Canada, and we are committed to preserving and promoting their rich cultural fabric and economic well-being. Today’s investment is the first step towards a fantastic new festival that celebrates the proud Francophone history of the Simcoe region. This new festival will not only showcase francophone culture, it will also create new economic opportunities, so that communities can continue to grow and thrive.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario
“La Clé sees a new festival as much more than a celebration of our rich cultural heritage. With its strong potential for positive spin-offs, it has everything to become an instrument for economic and tourism development for the Francophone community in the region. The feasibility study funded by FedDev Ontario will enable us to establish the viability of the festival from this perspective and to identify key factors for success.”
- Sylvia Bernard, Executive Director, La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s Francophone population is more than 600,000 people and represents the largest Francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.
- Founded in 1996, La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie is a not-for-profit organization that offers a range of services to contribute actively to the fulfillment, success and recognition of the Francophone community in Simcoe County.
- This project is in line with Canada’s new tourism strategy, to grow the tourism sector and create jobs for many years to come, and l’Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario’s Vision 2025 community strategic plan for Francophone Ontario in support of Ontario Francophone communities.
- This year marks 10 years of FedDev Ontario delivering funding and business services to support innovation and growth in southern Ontario.
Associated Links
FedDev Ontario
La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie
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