Manitobans now have greater access to television programming developed by Ontario’s French-Language Educational Communications Authority (TFO), Premier Greg Selinger announced.
“Offering TFO programming through cable TV stations and other distributors, and providing educational materials to schools via the Internet will enrich and enhance the educational and cultural resources available to French-speaking Manitobans,” Selinger said. “TFO is best-known for producing high-calibre documentaries and children’s programming and this initiative will support the creation of new made-in-Manitoba television programs.”
This new partnership will allow school divisions to have greater access to online, multimedia French-language teaching resources. Teachers from all grade levels in Français and French-immersion programs as well as teachers of basic French will have access to more than 4,000 videos, 300 teaching guides and related websites, mainly through the school’s Internet server.
The premier was joined by Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Francophone AffairsMadeleine Meilleur, and Claudette Paquin, TFO’s Chief Executive Officer, to officially launch this educational television resource in Winnipeg. Access to TFO programs is now available in digital format via Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), Shaw Cable and the Westman Communications Group as well as on Bell TV.
The Province of Manitoba has invested $250,000 over three years to support access to TFO educational resources in Manitoba schools. The federal government has provided support in the amount of $50,000 as part of a special project under the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on French Language Services.
“Francophones and francophiles of Manitoba will now have access to a greater choice of high-quality French-language programs,”
declared James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. “The Government of Canada is proud for having supported this project. Access to TFO programming will significantly broaden the range of educational resources available in French within the province.”
“In Ontario, as well as in Manitoba, French is a significant asset that helps us define the future of our provinces”, declared Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. ” I am proud of Ontario’s contribution to TFO’s programming in Manitoba, especially since it will reflect the daily lives of Manitoba’s Francophones and foster the development of the province’s educational and cultural sector.”
“TFO is true to its educational and cultural mandate, dedicated to all those who live in a province where French is not the language of the majority,” Paquin said. “Mr. Selinger has always been a strong supporter of French education as a first and a second language in Manitoba, and by ricochet, of TFO. I speak for the Board and my colleagues at TFO in expressing our gratitude. Working with the education milieu and Productions Rivard here in St. Boniface is a true pleasure! Together, we create products and services that highlight Manitoba and its talents while being fully appreciated by francophones and francophiles in many other areas of this country. What a winning situation!”
Educational components, videos and programming line-up is available at www.tfo.org.
