Harper Government Supports the Association La Girandole d’Edmonton
EDMONTON, October 1, 2012 - An investment by the Government of Canada will raise the profile of Alberta’s arts, culture, and rich Francophone heritage. The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister for Status of Women and Member of Parliament (Edmonton–Spruce Grove), announced this today on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
With this investment, the Association La Girandole d’Edmonton will support the development of artists in order to promote the French language through the arts. The Association’s activities will include La Girandole’s annual show, a production by the Zéphyr dance troupe, dance performances at the Fête franco-albertaine, Edmonton en fête and the Cabane à sucre, and the Association’s first Festival de danse Mosaïc.
“This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous, and free country we are today.”
“We are proud to support the Association La Girandole d’Edmonton, which protects linguistic duality and contributes to our province’s well-being,” said Minister Ambrose. “By supporting this organization, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support our arts, culture, and official languages.”
“For the past 32 years, thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, the Association La Girandole d’Edmonton has been able to offer dance training programs in French for everyone from two-year-olds to seniors,” said Corinne Brethes. Executive Director of the Association La Girandole d’Edmonton. “A move to the heart of the community in 2010–2011 allowed us to raise the amount of Franco-Albertan artistic production by doubling our space to meet the increased demand for new services. The funding received this year will make a real contribution to the development of a renowned dance school that will one day become a multigenerational provincial crossroads.”
The Association La Girandole d’Edmonton is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to promote French-Canadian culture through traditional dance. The Association fosters personal development through dance in a Francophone context and promotes the French language through folklore. It also has the only dance and folklore resource centre in all of Western Canada.The Government of Canada has provided funding of $85,500 through the Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage aims to foster the development of Canada’s minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Perry Boldt
Regional Manager Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca