The Government of Canada Supports Coopérative Radio Richmond in Nova Scotia

PETIT-DE-GRAT, Nova Scotia, March 19, 2009 -
- On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and Member of Parliament (Central Nova), today announced funding for the Coopérative Radio Richmond.

Thanks to this support, the Coopérative will soon be able to finalize the purchase and installation of the necessary equipment that will allow this French-language minority community radio station to begin broadcasting a variety of local content.

"Our Government is proud to contribute to the development of the Coopérative Radio Richmond," said Minister Moore. "This outstanding radio project provides this Francophone minority community with a unique platform to promote its language and culture."

"This is an important investment in the culture of one of Nova Scotia's Francophone communities," said Minister MacKay. "Our Government continues to promote and enhance the French-language culture in Nova Scotia."

"The Coopérative Radio Richmond truly appreciates this funding from the Government of Canada and would like to express its gratitude," said Billy Joyce, President of Coopérative Radio Richmond. "Community radio helps our official-language minority community live in its own language, take part in Canadian society, ensure its long-term development, and make dreams come true."

The Government of Canada has provided $223,734 in funding under the Community Life component of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program aims to foster projects that improve the environment for official-language minority communities.

Similar to the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, announced June 19, 2008, support for this project reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to linguistic duality and the vitality of official language minority communities. The Roadmap is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years.

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Information:

Stephanie Rea
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
stephanie.rea@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155