The Government of Yukon has renewed its partnership with the Government of Quebec to continue supporting a vibrant Francophonie and co-funding projects that bring people together, encourage the sharing of expertise and strengthen community connections.
Through the renewed Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Government of Yukon regarding the Canadian Francophonie, both governments have reaffirmed their commitment to fostering strong ties and supporting the vitality of Francophone communities. As part of the agreement, each government will continue to contribute $50,000 annually to support projects that benefit the Yukon’s growing Francophone community. This funding is possible through the Intergovernmental Cooperation component of the Programme d’appui à la Francophonie canadienne.
The agreement was signed today by the Yukon’s Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate, John Streicker, and Quebec's Minister responsible for the Canadian Francophonie, Jean-François Roberge, on the sidelines of the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie, held in the Northwest Territories from June 26 to 27.
The Government of Yukon remains committed to working with the Yukon Francophone community to support its vitality and respond to its evolving needs. This includes funding projects that help integrate French into the daily life of Yukoners across the territory, supporting French language education in schools and contributing to the community’s growth and wellbeing.
The Government of Yukon is proud to renew its long-standing partnership with the Government of Quebec to support a thriving Francophone community in the Yukon. The Francophone community plays a vital role in the cultural, social and economic fabric of our territory. A heartfelt thank you to the Government of Quebec for its continued support promoting a vibrant Canadian Francophonie, today and for generations to come.
Quebec is a partner within the Canadian Francophonie for the protection, promotion and enhancement of the French language throughout Canada. This partnership is expressed directly through collaboration between governments, as well as through exchanges of best practices, all of which are encouraged by these agreements. The Francophonie is both vibrant and dynamic in the territories. It is clear to us that the people of Quebec and the Francophones of the Yukon share common interests and benefit from working together. We continue to encourage this through the renewal of these agreements.
-
The Yukon has the third-highest rate of bilingualism in Canada, after Quebec and New Brunswick, with more than 14 per cent of Yukoners able to speak French, according to the 2021 Census.
-
The governments of Yukon and Quebec have worked closely together to support the Canadian Francophonie since signing their first cooperation agreement on October 14, 2004.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Nancy Power
Communications, French Language Services Directorate
867-332-2588
[email protected]