After more than two years of the pandemic, people in Atlantic Canada are yearning to safely connect and return to the region's downtown areas. The Government of Canada, through ACOA's Rediscover Main Streets initiative and other federal measures, is committed to supporting community-led projects that will bring energy back to these lively and important community hubs.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages, Minister responsible for ACOA and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe; and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced investments totalling more than $160,000 for Film Zone Inc., the organization behind the Festival international du cinema francophone en Acadie 2022 (FICFA).
This support will allow Film Zone Inc. to promote les Soirées du FICFA, including film screenings throughout downtown Moncton and Dieppe and other activities during the festival. These events will help encourage people to return to the region's downtowns and visit local businesses.
This funding will also support outreach programs in francophone schools over the next two years, reaching more than 14,000 youth. It will also help the FICFA extend its programming and support Acadian organizations in their activities.