OTTAWA – Our two official languages are a source of pride and a comparative advantage for Canada. The Government of Canada understands the importance of ensuring that all Canadians can receive an education in the official language of their choice. That is why it supports post-secondary institutions such as Saint Paul University, which plays a central role in the revitalization of Francophone communities in Canada.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced significant funding to modernize Saint Paul University. She was joined by Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament (Ottawa–Vanier); Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages; and Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament (Ottawa Centre).
The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.4 million over 3 years for renovations to Guigues Hall. The Government of Ontario is also supporting the project through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction (2020–2021 to 2022–2023), and Saint Paul University is providing $3.4 million over 2 years to this project.
The renovation project has the following objectives:
- Create collaborative zones, state-of-the-art teaching spaces and a “social campus” with multiple informal social spaces
- Consolidate academic offices and student services
- Improve learning spaces, work spaces and the overall quality of the building
- Reduce the University’s energy footprint
Today’s investment is in addition to the funding of more than $1 million announced in March 2020 to renovate the auditorium of Guigues Hall at Saint Paul University. These investments to modernize these facilities will help the University continue offering its students a quality education in French, ensuring the vitality of Franco-Ontarian culture.
Quotes
“More than ever, our government is committed to preserving the vitality of the French language and Francophone communities in Canada. Today marks an important step that will give Franco-Ontarians and Francophiles access to top-quality education, right here in Ottawa. When we give students the tools they need to flourish in French, our whole society benefits.” – Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“As the Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier and a proud Franco-Ontarian, I am delighted with the funding provided to Saint Paul University, which, since its founding in 1965, has served as a pillar and promoter of Francophone culture. Our institutions are essential for the promotion and development of our language communities. The major renovations that will be carried out thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario will allow Saint Paul University to offer a quality post-secondary learning environment to students and to the Francophone community in Ontario and beyond.” – Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament (Ottawa–Vanier)