COQUITLAM, BC, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today consulted official-language minority communities in Coquitlam on their priorities in one of a series of pan-Canadian Government consultations on official languages.

"Our two official languages are an advantage for Canadians and our businesses, both at home and abroad," said Minister Moore. "We are committed to protecting, celebrating, and strengthening linguistic duality. We are now consulting with Canadians about the best ways to proceed so that everyone benefits."

The Harper Government has undertaken extensive consultations to meet with Canadians from all provinces and territories. In addition to Coquitlam, consultations are being held in Victoria, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury, Montréal, Québec City, Fredericton, Moncton, Charlottetown, Halifax, St. John's, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit. Consultations will also be held in smaller communities across Canada.

In addition, an online forum will enable Canadians who cannot take part in the consultation sessions to share their viewpoints.

The Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future is an unprecedented government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years that reaffirms our Government's commitment to our two official languages and to official-language minority communities.

You can access the online consultations at www.pch.gc.ca/olconsultationslo.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage