Toronto, November 30, 2007

The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

“Supporting exchanges between young Canadians is one of the many ways our Government is engaging young people and supporting citizen development,” said Minister Verner. “Activities such as the YMCA’s Summer Work Student Exchange help strengthen the fabric of Canadian society by allowing young people to experience our country’s diversity first hand.”

Funding of $12.2 million for 2007–2010 will allow more than 2 300 participants, aged 16 and 17, to take part in a two-way exchange to live and work in their second official language.

By providing young Canadians with an opportunity to live and work in their second official language, the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange initiative helps them learn about a different region of the country and experience the richness of Canada’s linguistic duality.

“The YMCA is very excited by the Government’s support for our delivery of Summer Work Student Exchange,” said Scott Haldane, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “This is a great program that enables students from across the country to share bilingual lived experiences with their peers.  We are pleased that the Federal government, like the YMCA, continues to see the importance in sustained investment in Canada’s youth.”

The Government of Canada has provided this funding under the Exchanges Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, which offers young Canadians the opportunity to learn more about their country, to connect with one another, and to experience the diversity of Canadian communities, languages, and cultures. The program provides funding to support two-way group exchanges for Canadians aged 12 to 17.

Information:
 
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
 
 
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
 

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.)