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April 03, 2009
Minister Moore Attends Official Opening Ceremony of École Secondaire Jules-Verne
VANCOUVER, April 3, 2009 - For the first time in its history, Vancouver's Francophone community has a high school with all the facilities necessary to meet its students' needs. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today took part in the official opening ceremony of the École secondaire Jules-Verne. An agreement between the Government of Canada and British Columbia's Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF) has allowed for the construction of an auditorium, as well as the enlargement of the school's gym, library and multi-purpose area. "Our Government's contribution to École Jules-Verne's community facilities enables this institution to be much more than a place of instruction," said Minister Moore. "As an exciting Francophone living environment, École Jules-Verne will foster both the athletic and performing arts development of young people from an official-language minority community." The Government of Canada has committed up to $4.5 million to fund the school's community facilities. "This modern school offers students and employees a warm and stimulating learning environment," said Marie Bourgeois, CSF Chair. "The addition of a Francophone high school in Vancouver is of major importance and meets the demand from both parents and the community. Given the growth of our Francophone elementary schools and French-speaking newcomers, the school will occupy a special place within the Conseil and among Francophone residents." Like the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, announced last June, support for this project reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to linguistic duality and the vitality of official-language minority communities. The Roadmap is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years.
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