Question Period Note: The Mauril – Program for Learning English and French as a Second Language

In May 2019, the Government of Canada announced an investment of over
16 million dollars for a free program for learning and maintaining English and French as a second language.

• In May 2019, we announced the creation of an online learning program called The Mauril, in tribute to the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, a strong advocate for official languages in Canada.
• The Mauril will be a tool of choice to allow all Canadians to develop their skills in their second official language.
• It will do so by showcasing 100 percent Canadian content, Canadian culture and diversity.

• In May 2019, the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie announced the creation of a new Canadian Cultural Program for Learning English and French as a Second Language, a free online platform for all Canadians for learning both official languages.
• The Canadian Cultural Program for Learning English and French as a Second Language pays tribute to the Honourable Mauril Bélanger (former MP for Ottawa-Vanier and language rights advocate) who put forward this idea of an online learning tool.
• The Mauril, which is being developed by CBC/Radio-Canada, will be 100 percent Canadian. This new learning platform will provide access to a virtual learning environment, to material based on Canadian news from across the country, to Canadian cultural and artistic content, and to educational resources to advance from beginner to advanced levels. The Mauril will also offer stimulating teaching tools to develop the understanding and expression of English and French as a second language.
 
• The mandate letter of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages includes the commitment to “Complete the launch of “Mauril”, the free, online, easy-to-use tool to help Canadians improve their Official Languages capacity.”
o The Mauril will be available free of charge online or via mobile applications, and will be available to all Canadians starting in the fall of 2020.

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