NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
May 30, 2005

YOUTH AMBASSADORS SELECTED TO REPRESENT ETOBICOKE IN
QUEBEC AND NEW BRUNSWICK

ETOBICOKE - The Summer Work - Student Exchange program and local MPs Roy Cullen, Borys Wrzesnewskyj and Jean Augustine are proud to announce the 7 youth who have been selected as representatives of Etobicoke for six weeks this summer. Samantha Beattie, Claire Lemieux, Emily Irvine, Diane Relyea, Nundini Krishnan, and Marlena Mancini will be living in Granby and Acadie-Bathurst, working full-time, improving their French and learning about Canadian culture.

"My sister participated in the program, so I got to see firsthand the great experience that the exchange student had at my house. I was really excited listening to my sister tell me about her summer and I relish the opportunity to participate this year," said 16-year-old Samantha Beattie from Etobicoke Lakeshore.

SWSE participants are placed in non-profit organizations for full-time employment throughout the six-week exchange. Their program coordinators in Quebec and New Brunswick plan weekend trips for the students to explore the region and practice their French. Students benefit from the work experience, language skills, independence, and gain an appreciation for Canada's diversity.

While local students are in Quebec and New Brunswick, our community will be host to 7 francophone students. Canadian Parents for French will help administer the program here in Etobicoke. The students will be employed by local non-profit organizations that receive a special grant from SWSE to pay the students. The francophone participants will be living with the families of Etobicoke participants.

The Summer Work - Student Exchange program is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. SWSE was founded in 1996 by the Hon. Denis Paradis and is currently administered by the Canadian Unity Council. The program will give 1,200 students across Canada the opportunity to improve their second official language, gain work experience and live in another part of Canada this summer. There is no cost to participants thanks to funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage through Exchanges Canada. Transportation is provided by Via Rail Canada.

For more interviews and photo opportunities contact:
Christelle Thibault
Coordinator - Etobicoke
Tel: 416-561-4346
Pager: 416-322-9325
Email: cthibault@1617.ca