Governments of Nova Scotia, Canada Invest in Tusket Acadian, Francophone Community

The Acadian and francophone community in the Municipality of Argyle will have new facilities, thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.

Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages, Senator Gerald J. Comeau, on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Acadian Affairs, today, Aug. 19, announced funding for the project to construct a community component at the École secondaire Par-en-Bas in Tusket.

The government of Canada will provide $1,570,000 for the project: $800,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage and $770,000 from ACOA. Nova Scotia will contribute $765,000 to the project to build a child-care centre, a 300-seat theatre, offices and community meeting rooms.

"Our government seeks to ensure the development of Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone communities," said Mr. Lemieux. "I am delighted at the ongoing co-operation between the government of Canada and the province of Nova Scotia. This partnership bears witness to our commitment to promoting linguistic duality."

"The government of Canada is committed to working with its partners to strengthen community infrastructure," said Mr. Comeau. "We know that strong, healthy communities require modern infrastructure. Through this investment we are working to improve the quality of life for residents of Southwest Nova Scotia while contributing to the economic development of the region."

The province's financial contribution is from the Office of Acadian Affairs, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and the Department of Community Services, which provided a loan. The Department of Education provided in-kind support with space in the school.

"Schools are at the heart of our communities, so it makes sense to enrich the Acadian and francophone community of the Municipality of Argyle by adding this facility to École secondaire de Par-en-Bas," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Having a place where people in our community can gather and where our children can grow up in a supportive Acadian environment is important for ensuring our language and culture thrive."

The government of Canada has provided the funding under the Department of Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs and the Innovative Communities Fund Program of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.