Bilingualism consultations launched in N.B

Federal Heritage Minister James Moore has launched a series of country-wide consultations on how to best promote bilingualism when the federal government’s five-year plan ends next year.

Linguistic duality is one area of spending that has survived federal budget cuts.

“For me, it's about nation-building, it's about respecting our past and present and our bilingual future,” said Moore, who is also the minister responsible for official languages.

Moore started his cross-Canada tour by meeting with Acadian groups in Dieppe on Tuesday.

Moore also announced nearly $2.6 million in funding for the arts, cultural and official languages sectors in New Brunswick. The funding will support a total of 49 projects that will help boost tourism and strengthen the province's economy, he said.

The current Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008–2013: Acting for the Future, was also based on consultations, said Moore.

The $1.1 billion investment is used for education, the arts, economic development and to encourage immigration, he said.

"Canada's two official languages help define who we are as Canadians. They are the languages of our national dialogue and the ones that allow new arrivals to this country to participate fully in our society," Moore said in a statement.

"Thanks to our official languages, together we are building a prosperous Canada. These are the reasons why we are proud to hold follow-up consultations on the Roadmap."