The Acadian and Francophone regions of Prince Edward Island will benefit from new financial support under the Development of Official-Language Communities Program.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Egmont), today announced funding of $90,000 for the Fédération des parents de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard (FPÎPÉ). She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The support will help the federation carry out its 2014–2015 programming for Acadian and Francophone parents, parents of eligible children, and exogamous families. The FPÎPE supports them in their efforts to obtain and maintain proper French-language school and preschool facilities and services. Over the course of the year, it will provide its members across the province with a range of services and activities, such as trainer workshops and activities to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of passing on their language.

Quick Facts

• Since its creation in 1988, FPÎPÉ has been involved in promoting and defending rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• FPÎPÉ is a provincial organization whose aim is to support parent committees, parents, and pupils in Prince Edward Island’s six Acadian and Francophone regions to ensure access to French-language education.
• Among other things, FPÎPÉ offers French-language programs, services, resources, and training to support parents and provide them with tools for their role as their children’s primary teachers.

Quotes

“Our Government is proud to support the Fédération des parents de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Through its actions, the federation is ensuring that children can receive an education in French, which, in turn, contributes to the vitality and growth of their community.”
—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“Our two official languages play a key role in the development of our communities and our identity as Canadians. The Acadian and Francophone community of Prince Edward Island contributes to our rich history and to the cultural vitality of the province.”
—Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and MP for Egmont

“For Prince Edward Island’s Francophone parents, this contribution from Canadian Heritage is a necessity that allows our organization to represent and give our support, as best as we can, to our province’s French-speaking parents. This contribution is essential to the development of exogamous Francophone families in a minority situation like ours.”
—Anne-Marie Rioux, President, Fédération des parents de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard”

src:news.gc.ca