Harper Government Reaffirms Commitment to TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada

PARIS, France, December 6, 2011 - TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada will be better equipped to face the challenges of new technology, be more competitive, and reach a broader audience, thanks to support from the Government of Canada and its partners. This is the message the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), highlighted in the statement he made today at the Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5 on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The biennial Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5 brings together five partner governments-Canada, Quebec, France, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Wallonia-Brussels Federation), and Switzerland-as well as affiliated organizations, such as the Conseil international des radios-télévisions d'expression française and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

"Our Government's commitment to TV5, which dates back more than 25 years, is real proof of our desire to offer all Canadians access to the rich and diverse culture of the international Francophonie," said Minister Moore. "Our support helps promote the French language, cultural diversity, and the values of the Francophonie around the world."

"Thanks to Canada's support for TV5, Francophones across the country and around the world will continue to receive the best television programming that the Francophonie has to offer," said Minister of State Valcourt. "TV5 allows viewers to enjoy and appreciate the creativity and vitality of our Francophone artists and television industry."

In 2011-2012, the Department of Canadian Heritage will invest up to $13 million in TV5 Québec Canada and TV5MONDE. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced additional funding of $25 million over five years for TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada.

TV5 is the world's leading Francophone television network. This international network reaches more than 220 million homes around the world (including nearly 7 million in Canada). It broadcasts French-language programming to nearly 200 countries, promoting the visibility and vitality of the French language and culture. The network was established more than 25 years ago through a partnership between five governments of the Francophonie: Canada, Quebec, France, Switzerland, and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.

TV5 is managed by two operators. TV5MONDE, based in Paris, manages a network of nine signals broadcasting French-language programming 24 hours a day to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States.

TV5 Québec Canada, based in Montréal, manages the TV5 signal for Canada. Its programming includes a minimum of 15 percent Canadian content, including productions by Francophones from official-language minority communities.
 

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca