News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The New Brunswick and Quebec governments have presented the 2016-17 review of their co-operation in matters related to the Canadian Francophonie.

Combined, the two governments have invested more than $350,000 in more than 35 initiatives aimed at promoting the French language in their respective jurisdictions.

“I am pleased that Quebec shares our willingness to develop collaboration in matters related to the Francophonie,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also the minister responsible for La Francophonie. “Our government is committed to the vitality of the Acadian and francophone community in our province and to the development of the French culture and language throughout the country. The relationships we have built with Quebec demonstrate this commitment.”

Culture, university co-operation, health and sustainable development were at the heart of these initiatives, which include:

• a Quebec-New Brunswick cultural co-operation program;
• the Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec, which has brought together francophone business people in both provinces since 2005;
• university co-operation, which helps to maintain a French-language research network between the Université de Moncton and several Quebec universities; and
• a social pediatric initiative, which allowed for the sharing of expertise between the Fondation du Dr Julien, in Montreal, and the Société santé et mieux-être en français du Nouveau-Brunswick.

“Quebecers and Acadians from New Brunswick share more than 400 years of francophone history; a history of solidarity, collaboration and respect,” said the Quebec Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie, Jean-Marc Fournier. “The intergovernmental co-operation established almost 50 years ago between our two provinces is remarkable, constant and exemplary. It makes New Brunswick a major partner for Quebec in the development of a rich and dynamic francophone space. The diverse and rich relationships in several areas undoubtedly contribute to the flourishing of the French language.”

The two provinces signed a first co-operation agreement concerning matters related to La Francophonie in 1969, making this one of the longest-standing such agreements in the country.