Design work is beginning on a new French-language culinary arts facility at 170 Marion St. in Winnipeg, creating new opportunities for francophone high school students to pursue hands-on career training in their language and community, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt and Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable announced on September 23.
"French-language education is a fundamental part of Manitoba's identity and strength," said Schmidt. "This new facility will create more opportunities for francophone students to explore rewarding careers, develop practical skills and build their futures in Manitoba. It is an exciting step that will help strengthen both the francophone community and our skilled workforce."
The facility will become the first dedicated French-language culinary arts training centre operated by Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) and the first dedicated vocational programming facility in the division's history.
The Manitoba government has committed $3.8 million toward the property purchase and initial design work for the renovation of the new French-language culinary arts facility, the ministers noted.
"Education can change the course of a person's life. By expanding French-language adult education in St. Boniface, we're creating more opportunities for Manitobans to gain the skills and training they need to succeed," said Cable. "Whether someone is finishing high school, preparing for a new career or building on their education, they deserve access to learning in the language of their choice. This investment will help more francophone learners achieve their goals and contribute to Manitoba's growing workforce."
The new space will enable DSFM to expand its adult learning capacity by relocating from its current location at Collège Louis-Riel and to increase programming to serve more francophone adult learners to complete high school courses, develop new skills and prepare for in-demand careers in Manitoba's economy.
"I am proud of the sustained efforts our organization has made over the past few months to advance issues that are essential to our students' success," said Bernard Lesage, president, Commission scolaire franco-manitobaine. "The expansion of our specialized trades offerings, particularly through our partnerships with RRC Polytech, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Lithography, as well as the addition of new trades, demonstrate our commitment to providing diverse apprenticeship pathways grounded in the realities of the job market. This same vision guides our capital projects, whether it involves building a new school in Brandon, creating new daycare spaces or the acquisitions of Voix des Prairies and DSFM-Saint-Boniface. Together, these initiatives help build a solid future for our students and for Manitoba's francophone community."
The relocation and expansion of DSFM's adult education centre is supported through the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction, said Schmidt.
For more information on the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction, visit: www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/official-languages-bilingualism/agreements/agreements-minority-language-education/canada-mb-agreement-education-2024-2028.html.
