Greater Collaboration Among Francophone Communities in Nova Scotia/Quebec

Government is continuing efforts to promote French language and strengthen Acadian and Francophone communities in Nova Scotia through co-operation and exchange with Quebec.

“We are continuing our work to preserve and develop the French language and Acadian culture in Nova Scotia by working with Quebec,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. “Our Acadian and Francophone community is a core part of Nova Scotia’s cultural identity, and a proud part of the Francophonie in Canada and around the world.”

Through the Nova Scotia-Quebec Agreement for Co-operation and Exchange on the Francophonie, funding was provided to 23 projects with a focus on culture, education, youth and early childhood education. The two provinces invested more than $190,000 during the past two years in projects to promote the Francophonie.

“The co-operation established over the years with Nova Scotia has created a great solidarity between the Acadian and Francophone organizations of Nova Scotia and Quebec, contributing to promotion of the French language and community life,” said Jean-Marc Fournier, Minister of Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie in Quebec.

“Let us continue along this path of co-operation, to the great benefit of French in Canada and work together for a vibrant, rich and diverse Francophonie.”

Projects included the Tournée des rendez-vous du cinéma québécois to bring Quebec cinema to Nova Scotia through screenings and workshops in schools, sessions for school staff to help youth better assume ownership of their Acadian and Francophone culture at school and in their community, and an initiative allowing artists from Nova Scotia to participate in the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac.

“The financial support has allowed us to add some artistic diversity to our lineup,” said Julien Pinardon, assistant director of the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac. “It helps artists travel throughout the Canadian Francophonie and meet their audience, it also allows Canadians to discover the diversity and artistic richness of the Francophonie.”

The governments signed the new agreement Dec. 20, 2016, and each committed to $50,000 per year for the next five years. The list of projects that received funding for the 2016-17 fiscal year is available here, https://acadien.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/inline/images/quebec-novascotia-agreement-2016-2017.pdf.

The list of projects that received funding for the 2017-18 fiscal year is available here, https://acadien.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/inline/images/quebec-novascotia-agreement-2017-2018.pdf.

Interested and eligible Acadian and Francophone community organizations can find more information and submit their project proposal here (French only):
https://www.sqrc.gouv.qc.ca/francophonie-canadienne/soutien-financier/programme-cooperation-intergouvernementale.asp.