In June 2008, the Government of Canada released the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future (Roadmap). This Roadmap demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting linguistic duality and to enhancing the vitality of official-language minority communities.
Under the Roadmap, Industry Canada and the regional economic development agencies in Canada, including ACOA, are tasked with implementing the Economic Development Initiative (EDI). The initiative is designed to provide assistance to official languages minority groups across the country.
ACOA is investing $6.2 million through the EDI to support business and economic development activities that encourage sustainable growth in Atlantic Canada's Francophone communities – the official language minority community in the region.
A separate contribution of $10 million will be made to the Province of New Brunswick’s Population Growth Secretariat to fund programs that encourage Francophone immigration in the province.
The EDI supports the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality, which aims to strengthen linguistic duality, reinforce Canada’s national identity and provide economic benefits for all Canadians.
ACOA works closely with Acadian and Francophone businesses and groups across the Atlantic region to foster economic development.
Should you have questions with regard to the Economic Development Initiative in Atlantic Canada, please contact us.