Ensuring that businesses in British Columbia can offer services in both official languages is an essential asset in meeting the needs of a diverse clientele. It is also important to support French-language adult education and training, as this helps foster a skilled bilingual workforce, the vitality of Francophone communities and the development of an inclusive business environment. Investing in official languages means creating more economic opportunities and strengthening the role of French in our communities.
This is why Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville), today announced nearly $1.9 million in funding to support job creation and the economic development of businesses in the west. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety.
The Government of Canada will provide $131,400 to the Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDÉCB). This investment will support 40 tourism businesses in Kelowna, Victoria and Prince George, strengthening their ability to operate and communicate in both official languages.
This project includes:
- the organization of three awareness workshops on the benefits of bilingualism;
- personalized support to help companies develop bilingual communication and service delivery tools and strategies;
- training to improve staff language skills, and recruitment campaigns for French-speaking and bilingual staff;
- the development of a francization kit specifically designed for the tourism sector and its distribution to a wider network of businesses;
- a promotional campaign to support tourism businesses and promote bilingualism across the province; and
- the printing and distribution of 30,000 copies of a bilingual tourism brochure through a network of partners, to inform Francophone, Francophile and Anglophone customers about the province's tourist attractions and services.
This investment is a key component of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing the ability of businesses in British Columbia to provide services in both official languages and foster bilingual offerings within the tourism sector.
Increased support for youth employment in Western Canada and nationally
Under the Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages program, the Government of Canada is providing $1,755,049 to Collège Éducacentre for the period from 2025-26 to 2027-28 to support the creation of 213 additional youth jobs in British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon.
By creating jobs for youth in Western Canada, the Government of Canada is offering young people an employment experience that will enable them to acquire professional skills that will enhance their employability and strengthen their knowledge of their second language. At the same time, these job opportunities contribute to the vitality of our two official languages and official-language minority communities.
