New Brunswick and Manitoba are teaming up to support francophone communities. The two provincial governments approved five joint projects for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year. This initiative falls under the Manitoba and New Brunswick Cooperation and Exchange Agreement, as reported by mySteinbach.

Strengthening Interprovincial Ties

This funding stems from a long standing memorandum of understanding signed in 2002. In June, both provinces strengthened this relationship by signing a four year francophone cooperation protocol. This new protocol focuses on joint initiatives and knowledge exchange. It also enhances engagement within the Canadian Francophonie.

The Francophone Affairs Secretariat coordinates the protocol. It promotes cooperation in priority sectors like French language education, arts and culture, and community development. The agreement also builds partnerships between community organizations through mentoring, training, and shared expertise.

Funding Details

Each province allocates up to $20,000 annually. This creates a combined $40,000 to support jointly approved projects. For the upcoming fiscal year, both governments reviewed and approved five applications. The requested funding totaled $42,570. Since this exceeded the available budget, officials adjusted some project amounts to remain within the fiscal limit.

Glen Simard serves as the Municipal and Northern Relations Minister and minister responsible for francophone affairs in Manitoba. He highlighted the importance of the partnership.

“Manitoba is proud to continue strengthening our partnership with New Brunswick through these jointly approved projects,” Simard said. “Each initiative reflects our shared commitment to supporting francophone communities, advancing French language education and fostering meaningful collaboration between our provinces. By investing in these exchanges, we are helping organizations build capacity, deepen expertise and create lasting benefits for the Canadian Francophonie. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have in the year ahead.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Manitoba and New Brunswick Cooperation and Exchange Agreement?

It is a partnership between the two provinces to support francophone organizations through joint initiatives and knowledge exchange.

How much funding is available for these projects?

Each province contributes up to $20,000 annually for a combined total of $40,000.

What types of projects receive funding?

The funding supports priority sectors including French language education, arts and culture, and community development.

How many projects were approved for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year?

The governments approved five joint projects for the upcoming fiscal year.