Speech by the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs and Minister of Community and Social Services
On the Announcement of 13 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grants
La Nouvelle Scène
Ottawa
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thank you, Mr. Samson, for that nice introduction.
[Gérald Samson, MC and Leader of the Trillium Foundation Grant Review Team for Champlain].
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
Good Morning!
First of all, I would like to thank La Nouvelle Scène for providing the venue for this event. This space breathes creativity—and you know how important the cultural sector is to me.
[Richard Lebel, Executive Director of La Nouvelle Scène, is in attendance.]
La Nouvelle Scène is a landmark for Francophones in the Ottawa region. It is an important gathering place that contributes to the identity and pride of Ottawa’s Francophone community.
I would like to thank the Trillium Foundation for choosing this venue for this event. Our presence here today is an acknowledgement of the spirit of all Francophone artists in eastern Ontario and throughout the province!
Today, however, we are honouring not only the vitality of the Francophone cultural community; we are celebrating the achievements of the Francophone community as a whole.
This summer, the Trillium Foundation decided to provide 13 Francophone organizations in the region with grants totalling over half a million dollars!
[$576,000 to be exact]
Before we honour the recipients one by one, I would like to say something about the extraordinary work that the Trillium Foundation is doing to enable Ontarians to work together to improve the quality of life in their communities.
The Trillium Foundation is the largest funder of not-for-profit sports and recreational organizations in Ontario. As we can see today, it very actively supports initiatives in the Franco-Ontarian community. We thank the Trillium Foundation for this support!
What I find striking about today’s announcement is the diversity of the recipients.
These grants are for the arts, culture, community and social services, programs in schools activities, seniors’ activities, the integration of new immigrants, recreational activities, sports, and volunteerism.
All of these endeavours are essential. They are key areas for the social and economic development of our communities. Our government encourages this holistic approach to building strong communities. The people of Ontario have high expectations of us—of the government and of organizations such as yours.
These Trillium Foundation grants will help to promote the health, culture, and economic well-being of Francophones of all ages. They will also enable French-speaking newcomers to Ontario to feel at home here.
As you know, this region is a rich Francophone mosaic. As a Cabinet Minister and also as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, it is my duty to honour the trust that you have placed in me and to be aware of the ever-changing needs of the community.
As you have demonstrated, our community is on the move. It is teeming with new ideas. It is innovative. It is seeking solutions to the challenges it faces. In other words, it has taken control of its own destiny.
In these times of economic uncertainty, we need to take action. The $576,000 provided by the Trillium Foundation represents an investment.
I hope that, in developing their projects, the recipients will make the best possible use of this investment.
I like to talk about the ripple effect that these grants can have.
On average, every grant recipient in Eastern Ontario almost triples every dollar provided by the Trillium Foundation.
[In 2007-2008, in Eastern Ontario, for every dollar invested by the Trillium Foundation, each Francophone and Anglophone grant recipient succeeded in raising an average of $1.78 in cash, in kind or in volunteer hours.]
And the spin-offs are not just monetary. For example, some 9,000 Francophone and Anglophone volunteers in Eastern Ontario invest their time and expertise in projects supported by the Trillium Foundation. The ripple effect can be considerable!
The fabric of the Francophone community of Ontario becomes richer with every project! Our combined efforts enable us to build, to grow, and to come together. Small initiatives have produced big institutions. They, in turn, have inspired us.
Your Trillium Foundation grant comes with a great responsibility toward your fellow citizens. Take up this challenge and invite the community to take full advantage of the new services that you will be providing!
Thank you and have a great day!
END
