Question Period Note: Official Languages Investments in the Territories

Government of Canada’s achievements in support of Francophone communities in the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).

• Our government is committed to enhancing the vitality of official-language minority communities throughout Canada, including the Francophone communities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• This commitment was made clear when we announced a significant increase in federal support through multi-year agreements for French-language services in the territories. Through these agreements, our government is providing over 50 million dollars over four years to help facilitate access to services in French in the North.
• We are also investing in projects that provide Francophone communities in the North with places and opportunities to come together to celebrate the French language.

• Agreements on French-Language Services with the Territories: In late 2016–2017, federal-territorial agreements were signed with each of the territorial partners that significantly expanded federal financial support for French-language services delivered by the territories. The breakdown per territory is as follows:
o Yukon: $13,999,245 over three years (2017-2018 to 2019-2020)
o Northwest Territories: $22,502,000 over four years (2016-2017 to 2019-2020)
o Nunavut: $14,251,862 over four fiscal years (2016-2017 to 2019-2020)
• New Francophone high school in Whitehorse (Yukon): In 2017-2018, PCH supported a multi-year project (2017-2020) totaling $7.5 million to the Yukon government for the construction of a new Francophone high school to accommodate the increase in the Francophone student population in the Yukon. Part of the new space will be accessible to the community, such as the theatre space and the black box theatre. An expanded curriculum will be offered and will include a variety of new courses such as music and drama, trades and life skills.

Facilities and technology for distance education will also be enhanced to provide Francophone students in communities outside Whitehorse with access to programming in French. It is expected that the school, with a total capacity of 200 students, will be ready to receive its first cohort in January 2021.
• Théâtre Uiviit (Nunavut) - Spectacles de théâtre et formation communautaire: Since 2018-2019, total funding in the amount of $184,030 ($72,030 in 2018-2019, $72,000 in 2019-2020 and $40 000 in 2020 2021) was approved to enable Théâtre Uiviit to offer theatrical activities in French to the Francophone and Francophile community in Iqaluit. The project gives them access to performances and provides training to allow youth and adults to actively take part in the domain of theatre and to reinforce their abilities in different aspects of theatre such as stage play, production, drama writing and techniques.
• Garderie Plein Soleil (Northwest Territories) – Programme éducatif Imagine: Funding in the amount of $76,725 was awarded to the Garderie Plein Soleil daycare for the development of a French education program in 2017-2019 adapted to the needs and reality of the northern community. This program aims to contribute to the overall development of children between the ages of 0 and 5, as well as young people aged between 6 and 12 years participating in afterschool programs and the summer camp organized by the Garderie Plein Soleil.

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