The provincial government says $650,000 in grants from the feds will help ensure the delivery of services in French in Alberta..The government announced Wednesday they have signed an extension to the Canada-Alberta Agreement on French Languages Services covering 2018-20..The federal funding will be used for the development and delivery of provincial government services in French..The agreement provides funding for 2018-19 and 2019-20, and complements investments made by the Alberta government to meet the needs of French-speaking Albertans..“This agreement is critical to ensuring the ongoing implementation of the French Policy throughout the Alberta government. As our province has the fastest-growing francophone population outside Québec, we will renew our efforts to ensure that future funding agreements are, at a minimum, on par with other provinces,” said MLA Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women and Minister responsible for the Francophone Secretariat, in a release..Funds are used to implement new and improve existing government services in French. Alberta has the third largest francophone population outside of Quebec with more than 268,000 people who speak French and more than 418,000 people of French/French-Canadian descent..“After English, French is the most spoken language in Alberta. This is a reflection of our province’s francophone roots, the popularity of French education programs and because our province is a destination of choice for many French-speaking newcomers. The Francophonie in Alberta is thriving and contributes to the province’s diversity and energy,” said Laila Goodridge, parliamentary secretary for the Francophonie and MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche..The province offers a variety of services in French, including supports for parents as part of Family Resource Networks, and translations of key resources available online..dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: Nobby7694
