FRANCAIS

April 21, 2006

Manitoba will provide an additional $100,000 in support for ethnocultural organizations as part of the province’s immigration strategy, Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan, minister responsible for multiculturalism, announced today.

"Our diverse number of ethnocultural organizations are a significant part of Manitoba’s attractiveness to newcomers," said Allan. "We value the role of organized cultural support groups in making the transition for immigrants a much more pleasant and successful experience."

The Ethnocultural Community Support Program accepts applications for grants in April, August and December every year. The increase brings the total annual program budget for ethnocultural group projects to $503,000. Under the program terms, support is provided via an approved amount of cash, a bingo-only allocation or a combination of both.

To be eligible, organizations must meet several conditions including being a Manitoba-based not-for-profit organization, an incorporated ethnocultural organization and at least one year old.

Eligible organizations may apply for grants to cover operational funding or special projects that support harmony and equality, and preserve, promote or share cultural heritage. Each approved grant is on a one-time only basis.

"We have increased our support to ethnocultural groups and improved the accountability requirements at the same time," said Allan. "This initiative will strengthen our partnerships with ethnocultural organizations in meeting the many challenges associated with attracting and keeping immigrants here in Manitoba."

A new, application kit for the Ethnocultural Community Support Program will soon be available online at http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/multiculturalism.

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