Government of Canada Invests in Research on Official Languages

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 16, 2011) - Researchers at the University of Ottawa will compile a comprehensive history of the French language in North America by chronicling the accounts of families over the last 400 years and looking at how French has shaped Canadian communities, culture and our country. Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa Orleans), on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), made the announcement of funding today at the University of Ottawa.

"Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, improve the quality of life of Canadians and strengthen our economy," said MP Galipeau. "This investment will help ensure that Canadians in francophone communities have the tools they need to prosper and develop their language and culture for future generations."

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canada's official languages are preserved and maintained. Dr. France Martineau of the University of Ottawa will lead a project that examines the shared heritage of the French language across North America, and how it shaped linguistic and cultural identity and diversity.

The government is investing $2.5 million in this project, as well as three other MCRI projects, over the next seven years. This investment is from the Major Collaborative Research Initiative program of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

"This grant highlights the excellence of our country's talented researchers and recognizes the importance of fostering collaboration to keep Canada at the forefront of research, development and innovation in the 21st century," said Chad Gaffield, President of SSHRC.

"This wide-ranging study will strengthen Canada's place in the forefront of research on French within the Francophonie worldwide," said the Honourable Allan Rock, president of the University of Ottawa. "We're proud of our mission to serve francophone communities and our roots in French on this continent."

Major Collaborative Research Initiative grants support leading-edge, multidisciplinary research projects led by scholars at Canadian institutions, with the participation of top international scholars. This collaborative approach enables research excellence, helping the best minds examine and find solutions to issues facing Canada and the world.

SSHRC is the federal agency that promotes and supports university-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its three funding programs—Talent, Insight and Connection—SSHRC enables the highest levels of research excellence in Canada and facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaboration across research disciplines, universities and all sectors of society.