The Ontario government is providing $1 million to 30 organizations as part of the 2020-21 Francophone Community Grants Program. The projects, selected through a competitive process, span several key sectors, including health and wellness, information technology, community services, arts and culture, and each provides opportunities to celebrate and empower Ontario’s Francophone community.
The announcement was made on October 28 by Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs.
The only organization in Prescott and Russell to receive one of the grants is the Centre de services à l’emploi de Prescott-Russell/Employment Services Centre. It is receiving $49,202 to improve electronic commerce and customer service training for Francophone workers and entrepreneurs in preparation for once the pandemic has ended.
“Our government recognizes that Ontario’s Francophone community represents an important economic lever and that Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses greatly contribute to Ontario’s prosperity,” said Mulroney. “That’s why we are supporting organizations that serve Francophones through the pandemic and contributing further to a vibrant Franco-Ontarian community.”
The Francophone Community Grants Program helps support the vitality of the Franco-Ontarian community, with a focus on promoting the French language, as well as the community’s socio-economic development in Ontario. It aims to improve front-line services and strengthen the capacity of organizations to provide services in French.
Selected projects begin on or after October 15, 2020 and end on or before March 31, 2021.
The announcement reflects the Ontario government’s commitment towards Francophone community and economic development and follows a recently announced $500,000 investment by the government to support the creation of a Francophone business network and to promote Franco-Ontarian products and services.
