Recent Government spending

I just recently subscribed to The Canadian Governmets RSS feed for "news releases". In the past two days I noticed these three announcements and found them quite intriguing. They total "only" as our government would say $498,900. Just a minor amount when we look at the entire budget.

The first:
Quebec City, Quebec, September 12, 2005 - The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced the awarding of $200,000 in funding to support the promotion and international marketing of the 2005 and 2006 editions of the Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands.

"Since 2000, Canada Economic Development has contributed $50,000 a year to this unique festival that showcases the traditions, art, history and music of military bands in the setting of Quebec's fortified city. We have now doubled our contribution to support the increased marketing of this distinctive cultural event and to better position the Quebec City region on the world stage. This prestigious event generates some $12 million in annual spinoffs, $2 million of that from foreign visitors," stated Minister Saada.

The second:
GATINEAU, September 14, 2005 -- Member of Parliament (Hull-Aylmer) Marcel Proulx, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $123,900 in funding for the Regional Association of West Quebecers. These funds will help the organization to undertake projects to improve the vitality and well-being of the English-speaking minority community and to develop new communications tools.

"Supporting organizations that serve linguistic minorities is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Mr. Proulx. "This funding for the Regional Association of West Quebecers is good news for the English-speaking people of Western Quebec, who will continue to have access to a wide range of quality services."

"To thrive, members of minority-language communities must benefit from quality services in their own language," said Minister Frulla. "I am pleased to support this association, which has always done an excellent job of responding to the needs of the English-speaking citizens of Western Quebec."

The Regional Association of West Quebecers intends to develop information activities, as well as communication tools to serve the English-speaking community. The Association also anticipates working more closely in partnership with several of the region's English-language institutions.

Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Development of Official-Language Communities Program.

Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget.

And the third:
VANCOUVER, SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women, today announced $175,000 in funding for the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique. The funds will enable the organization to coordinate consultations between the Francophone community and Government of Canada departments and agencies. The aim of the consultations is to ensure that federal programs and funding decisions are in line with the community's priorities.

"These consultations will enable all Francophones in our province to present their concerns and participate actively in the development of their community," said Dr. Fry.

"Through its commitment to renewal, growth, and development, French-speaking Canada enriches our culture. It deserves much of the credit for our country's ability to affirm its uniqueness internationally," said Minister Frulla. "I am delighted that our Government is working with the Fédération to provide its members with the tools they need to safeguard their community's vitality and prosperity."

The Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique works to improve services for Francophones living in British Columbia. It has also helped create provincial Francophone organizations that now operate independently.

Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Cooperation with the Community Sector component of its Enhancement of Official Languages Program.

Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget.

The first one states that it brings in $12 million in spinoffs. If thats the case why is it that these companies that are making this kind of money because of it are not investing in this rather than the Canadian government?

The second and third seem at least to me, somewhat strange. Does not our federal government by law have to provide their services in both official languages? I know here in Alberta, where french for the most part is not a prominent language, I am always greeted in both official languages by front line government employee's. I belive no matter what language one speaks, whether it be english, french, ukrainian, german, italian ect ect... if there is enough support for that language in your comunity it will survive on its own. There are many examples of that here in Alberta. Beaumont, a small community out side of Edmonton is prodomently french and the french language and culture thrive there. Falher, a small town in northern Alberta is the same. Many towns around Alberta have large ukrainian populations and again, ukrainian culture thrive in these places. The list goes on and on. Why do they thrive? Not because of Government regulations or spending to promote it, that is for sure. It thrives only because the population itself supports and encourages it.

Now what I do find strange, Is all three have something to do with Quebec and or the french language. I do find it suspicious, with an election nearing. I read just recently, on a Canadian Government web site(sorry no link) that Bilingualism has only cost about $.05 per Canadian since it's conception. I highley doubt that! Maybe I have not seen enough of these "news releases" to know any better. I look forward to see more "news releases" in the future that do not go to these two area's.

What I want to know is why in this day and age must we keep throwing public funds into these types of projects? "If" they are so viable and well supported they should be able to finance themselves on their own merit through individual and corporate donations or am I off base here?