Release
Date:
November 18, 2005
For release: Immediate
Government OF CANADA
ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS UNDER THE ACTION PLAN FOR OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the
Government in the House of Commons, Minister for Internal Trade, Minister
responsible for Official Languages and Associate Minister of National Defence,
today announced an additional $10.6 million to improve access to health
services for official language minority communities and an additional $12 million
investment in official language training within the federal public service.
Government of Canada funding for both programs
will be extended to March
31 2007, in the context of the Action Plan for Official Languages.
“As the Minister responsible for Official Languages, I am pleased to
announce these important investments in health care services and in language
training. The Government of Canada is reinforcing the Action Plan for Official Languages
with this investment” declared Minister Bélanger.
This
additional funding will advance efforts already underway to enhance access to
health services in official language minority communities. These include
training health providers to improve service delivery; expanding access to
essential services; and, coordinating health promotion, disease and injury
prevention as well as chronic disease management.
“We are committed
to supporting equitable access to health services for all Canadians,” said
Minister Dosanjh. “The Action Plan for Official Languages improves access to
health services for official language minority communities in their own
language and demonstrates our government’s commitment to enhancing the vitality
of these communities, giving them better access to primary health care services”.
The
investment in language training will reduce the waiting list of public servants
who need training to do their jobs. The Canada School of Public Service will continue
to develop partnerships with external language schools in order to improve
access and increase overall capacity.
"This
investment is a key component of the Public Service Learning Strategy," noted
Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board.
Launched
in March 2003, the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages now
represents investments of $810 million in the sectors of education, community
development, and the federal public service.
-30-
For
information:
Shawn
Salewski
Office
of the Honourable Mauril Bélanger
(613)
952-6732
