Canada Invests $1.56M in Manitoba’s Bilingual Future Over 200 Jobs to be Created

Thursday, March 6, 2025

March is Francophonie Month—a time to celebrate the vibrant Francophone and bilingual communities that make Manitoba unique. With 16 bilingual municipalities, these communities play a crucial role in the province’s cultural identity, economic growth, and linguistic diversity.

Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of $1,557,150 to support the economic development of Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities. This funding will drive workforce development, strengthen Francophone tourism, and create opportunities for over 200 jobs, benefiting more than 100 small- and medium-sized businesses across the province.

A major portion of the investment—$1.2 million—will go to the Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba Inc. (AMBM) to assess labour force needs, enhance cultural capacity among employers, and connect them with newcomers, Indigenous people, and youth.

These investments, administered by PrairiesCan, come through the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) Program and the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) to fuel economic growth and strengthen Manitoba’s Francophone presence.

Projects Receiving Federal Support:

$1,200,000 – AMBM to enhance the labour market in rural bilingual municipalities.
$200,000 – Le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) to support Francophone tourism entrepreneurs.
$157,150 – Entreprises Riel Inc. to expand outdoor cultural and recreational Francophone tourism experiences.

This investment reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities, ensuring their continued contribution to the province’s economy and cultural vitality.