Federal Government Announces Significant Increase in Support for French-Language Services in the Territories

Agreements signed by the Government of Canada will lead to improved access to territorial services in French

WHITEHORSE, May 26, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament (Yukon), today announced major funding for Francophone communities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Mr. Bagnell made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

For more than three decades, the Government of Canada has supported the implementation of territorial legislation for services in French. In late 2016–17, agreements were signed with each of the territorial partners that significantly expand federal financial support for French-language services delivered by the territories. This will allow the territories to more fully meet their official-language obligations.

These agreements will enable members of the Franco-Yukonais, Franco-Ténois, and Franco-Nunavois communities to benefit from improved access to territorial services in French.

Quotes

"Our official languages, French and English, are at the heart of who we are as a country. Our government is committed to enhancing the vitality of official-language minority communities throughout Canada, including the vibrant Francophone communities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. These agreements offer a much-anticipated boost to the work being done by territorial governments to improve access to services in French."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"We are very pleased that this agreement has been signed, as it is an important step in the provision of services in French in Yukon. The enhancement of government services in French, particularly in the health and social services sector, will greatly benefit Yukon's Francophone community."

—The Honourable John Streicker, Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate, Government of Yukon

"In the Northwest Territories, there are many partners working together to focus our efforts to build on the tremendous work to date to integrate the French language into the territorial government's service and program delivery. We have committed to ensuring the needs of the Francophone community are supported and promoted in the context of our multicultural region. Language plays a critical role in identity, and with the new agreements in place, we will be able to further support and enhance the excellent work already underway for French-language services and communications."

—The Honourable Alfred Moses, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories

"We are delighted with this new multi-year agreement. This is a positive step in creating a new partnership with the Government of Canada for the protection and promotion of official languages in Nunavut. This agreement will allow us to better meet the requirements of the Official Languages Act while strengthening our collaborative ties with Canada."

—The Honourable George Kuksuk, Minister of Languages, Government of Nunavut

"I welcome this collaboration between our governments. These agreements are significant and allow us to devote resources that meet the communities' needs. In the end, the Francophone communities in the territories will be better served."

—The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament (Yukon)

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada has been supporting services in French in the North since 1984 after striking an agreement with the Northwest Territories; similar agreements were reached with Yukon in 1988 and Nunavut in 1999.

Financial support by territory:

Yukon:
	Baseline		$1.75 million
	2017–18		$3,996,288
	2018–19		$4,756,211
	2019–20		$5,246,746
		TOTAL	$13,999,245
Northwest Territories:
	Baseline		$1.9 million
	2016–17		$5,702,000
	2017–18		$5,800,000
	2018–19		$5,500,000
	2019–20		$5,500,000
		TOTAL	$22,502,000
Nunavut:
	Baseline		$1.45 million
	2016–17		$1,910,824
	2017–18		$3,672,758
	2018–19		$4,185,236
	2019–20		$4,483,044
		TOTAL	$14,251,862

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

(media only) Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Sunny Patch, Cabinet Communications, Government of Yukon, 867-393-7478, [email protected]; Patrice Tremblay, French Language Services Directorate, Government of Yukon, 867-667-3735, [email protected]; Charlotte Digness, Media and Communications Coordinator, Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9140, ext. 11092, [email protected], www.gov.nt.ca; Jacqueline McKinnon, Communications and Public Affairs, Policy, Legislation and Communications, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9352, ext. 71073, [email protected], www.ece.gov.nt.ca; Dan Pimentel, Communications Manager, Culture and Heritage, Government of Nunavut, 867-975-5526, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.pch.gc.ca