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Location: About the OFA > Announcements > October 20, 2006
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News Release
October 20, 2006
Increased support for students at La Cité collégiale
McGuinty Government on the side of families who want their sons and daughters to find opportunity in French
OTTAWA – The McGuinty government is expanding its support for La Cité collégiale to ensure more students have the opportunity to pursue and complete their studies in French, Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, announced today.
Through the Reaching Higher plan, the McGuinty government is investing $65.3 million in 2006-07 – an increase of $20 million since 2004-05 – to help small, northern and rural colleges provide high quality programs in their communities. La Cité collégiale will receive $3.4 million this year. Funding of $4 million will also be provided in each of the following two years, for a total of $11.4 million over three years under the program.
"We know that the future of the Francophone community depends on future generations. There is no better investment than preparing our young people for rewarding careers, and in particular, giving them the tools they need to work in French and to therefore make a valuable contribution to the vitality of our community," Meilleur added.
"We are on the side of working families in Ontario who want their sons and daughters to benefit from better opportunities," said Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "Our government recognizes that French-language colleges are confronted with unique challenges. This funding improves the access that Francophone students have to quality education."
"La Cité collégiale must offer a wide array of courses and services so that our French-language students can make informed choices, receive quality training and enter the labour market with the latest knowledge, techniques and skills in their field. The additional funding granted today will help us implement these objectives," stated Andrée Lortie, President of La Cité collégiale.
First announced in the 2005 Budget, additional funding for small, northern and rural colleges has been used to improve student success and to increase the number of programs available.
The financial support offered to French-language colleges is also an important element of the government’s commitment to young people and a strong Francophonie. Other recent examples of this commitment include:
- The announcement of the restructuring of TfO, making it a separate, stand-alone organization with its own board of directors, management, and budget
- The signing of the Ontario-Quebec Cooperation Protocol on Francophone Affairs
- A new increase in funding for French-language schools
- The bilingual designation of Kingston under the French Language Services Act
- An ambitious program to mark the 20th anniversary of the French Language Services Act.
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For more information:
Richard Martel
Senior Policy Advisor, Francophone Affairs
Office of the Minister Responsible For Francophone Affairs
416 325-8850
Charles Jean Sucsan
Senior Manager
Strategic Communications
Office of Francophone Affairs
416 325-4968
Disponible en français
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