September 7, 2007
$2.3 Million Investment Expands Opportunities for Manitoba's Bilingual Communities
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Over $2.3 million in funding under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will be invested to promote investment, attract tourism and foster economic development in bilingual communities in Manitoba.
The funding was announced today by Greg Selinger, Minister of Finance and minister responsible for French Language Services in Manitoba, and Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
“Our government is a strong believer in creating conditions that will promote economic development in bilingual communities across Manitoba,” said Selinger. "I am pleased with the progress that is being made and I look forward to continuing to work closely with francophone communities throughout the province."
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of Manitoba,” said MP Bruinooge. “Through our government’s investment today, we are helping to ensure Manitoban bilingual communities, businesses and tourism thrive and succeed.”
The EPA will provide $1,537,600 to establish the Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba (ANIM), a non-profit organization initiated by the Société franco-manitobaine. ANIM will provide services to Manitoba businesses and other organizations to expand their presence in national or international francophone markets.
As a separate initiative, the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) and Entreprises Riel will receive $661,300 from the EPA for training and marketing activities to continue to promote tourism and economic development in Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities.
CDEM will also receive $140,000 from the EPA for the C’est si bon! Ensemble Together project to complete implementation of the branding campaign. C’est si bon! Ensemble Together highlights the value added benefits of bilingualism in all 16 CDEM member communities.
Under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the governments of Canada and Manitoba are working together and in partnership with community stakeholders to build the economy and strengthen communities. These priorities promote economic growth and diversification in the province. For more information on this and other projects funded under EPA, please visit: http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca.
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Background Information Attached
Backgrounder
EPA Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/EPABG.FLS.doc