24 June 2020 – Francophone Community Grants Program

Type of Intervention: Financial and Economic, Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Ethnic and Minority Affairs, Finance/Economy, Private Sector and Businesses
Intervention Categories: Finance policy and financial aid; Stimulus packages and financial support
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs

Overview: The Ontario government is launching this year’s edition of the Francophone Community Grants Program, investing $1 million, to help support Ontario’s francophone businesses and community organizations and those that serve French-speaking Ontarians. The aim is for this investment to assist francophone organizations and businesses to implement new projects that contribute to Ontario’s recovery. The Program is two-stream, including the Economic Development stream to help entrepreneurs and businesses improve frontline services, and the Cultural and Community Stream to invest in local cultural and community initiatives.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/ofa/en/2020/06/ontario-investing-to-help-franco-ontarian-communities-grow-and-support-recovery.html

Type of Justification: Providing support
Evidence/Justification: The justification for this investment is to strengthen the capacity of francophone and organizations/businesses that serve French-speaking clients to provide products and services in French. This includes promoting the recruitment and training of bilingual staff, providing opportunities to celebrate Ontario’s Francophonie, and protecting French language and culture in Ontario.