Government of Canada Supports Children and Families in Minority Francophone Communities

Author: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Published: 2010/09/27
Topic: Canada - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Helping families and children in minority francophone communities across Canada by helping organizations work together on health and early childhood issues.

Introduction

Main Item

Ms. Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, made the announcement today, on behalf of the Honorable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"Families are the building blocks of our society, and the Government of Canada partners with the provinces and territories, the private sector and not-for-profit organizations to help families achieve their aspirations for a better and stronger future," said Ms. Glover. "Through this project, Pluri-elles will build stronger networks with other organizations that support minority francophone families and children and will create and distribute resources, share knowledge, and offer training."

The Government of Canada, through the Children and Families component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, will contribute $481,629 towards the project. In 2010-2011, the Government of Canada provided more than $6.3 million for 37 projects across Canada under the Social Development Partnerships Program. Through the Program, the Government supports community not-for-profit organizations in the development of innovative solutions and the sharing of knowledge that will benefit children, families and communities.

"It is of the utmost importance to offer different programs and services to our communities across Canada" said the Director General of Pluri-elles (Manitoba) Inc., Mona Audet. "Families will reap the benefits of this contribution. By working with service providers, families and the community, we will be able to make a big difference for children."

In addition to providing funding under the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada transfers more than $1.1 billion annually to the provinces and territories in support of early childhood development and child care, including $250 million a year to create new child-care spaces.

Other federal investments for families and children include the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement for low-income families, the Child Disability Benefit, the Universal Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Expense Deduction, and a non-refundable child tax credit.

Canada's Economic Action Plan improved the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Canada Child Tax Benefit by making them available to more families.

For more information about the Social Development Partnerships Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.

Social Development Partnerships Program - Children and Families component

The Children and Families component of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program helps to improve the lives of children and families across the country by investing in organizations that support the well-being of Canadians. Projects range from developing a better understanding of the issues Canadians face to providing greater access to information, programs and services.

Together with the funding available through the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the funding allocated under the Children and Families component demonstrates that individuals, families and communities continue to be a priority of the Government of Canada.

The 2009 Call for Proposals for the Children and Families component had three priorities:

1. Supporting families with children: initiatives that help families promote well-being, maximize potential and develop productive citizens;

2. Caregiving over the life course: supporting families caring for elderly or disabled family members while managing work/other responsibilities; and

3. Strengthening not-for-profit organizations: developing and sharing best practices and innovative business models/approaches to strengthen organizational resiliency during the current economic crisis.