Funding Announced for Acadian and Francophone Initiatives, Community Media

Acadian Affairs Minister Michel Samson announced funding to support Acadian and francophone initiatives and to strengthen Nova Scotia's francophone community media today, March 6.

Mr. Samson announced the funding at the launch of les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie festival event, which was broadcast to all campuses of Université Sainte-Anne, and schools of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

Government is contributing $57,635 to enhance francophone community media. In the coming months, government and the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE) will work with the community-based francophone media outlets to strengthen their operations.

"It is important for the Acadian and francophone community to have access to French-language broadcasting that promotes their vibrant culture," said Mr. Samson. "I am pleased that government will work with our four francophone community radio stations and Le Courrier, to help them develop a plan for long-term success."

Le Courrier has served as Nova Scotia's only weekly French-language newspaper since 1937. The province's four francophone community radio stations are members of the Association des radios communautaires en Atlantique. They are:

• CIFA-FM in Clare
• CKRH-FM in Halifax
• CITU-FM in Richmond
• CKJM-FM in Chéticamp

"CDENE strongly supports Acadian and francophone media in Nova Scotia," said Julie Oliver, executive director. "We look forward to working with them to explore all possible ways to become financially viable and sustainable."

Government is also contributing $10,000 to the Conseil jeunesse provincial for two initiatives involving young people age 15 to 25.

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