Ottawa Invests in Cité des Rocheuses in Calgary

On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), today announced funding for the Société du centre scolaire communautaire de Calgary, better known as Cité des Rocheuses.

This funding will help the organization deliver a number of initiatives aimed at revitalizing French-language theatre in Calgary. These include building partnerships, training and mobilizing community artists, and presenting theatrical productions. The long-term goal of this project is to develop an active and progressive French-language theatrical sector in Calgary.

"Our Government recognizes the importance of a vibrant and active theatrical sector to Canadians’ quality of life," said Minister Moore. "Cité des Rocheuses makes a significant contribution to Franco-Albertan culture by supporting local artists."

"These activities help increase the inclusivity of Alberta’s Francophone communities by engaging youth and stimulating the interest of the entire community," said Mr. Richardson.

"We believe that this project will benefit Calgary’s Francophone and Francophile community, since theatre is one of the pillars of French-language culture," said Marc Couture, Administrative Manager of the Société du centre scolaire communautaire de Calgary. "It is also a way to express pride in our society and our culture and a means of passing that pride on to young people, who are our future."

The mission of Cité des Rocheuses is to provide a meeting place for Francophones from Calgary and the surrounding area and to give Francophone youth the tools necessary to ensure the survival of their identity, their language, and their culture in a predominantly French-speaking environment.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $58,000 through the Community Life 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.

Edited by Tapa Menon