Today, on International Francophonie Day, the Government of Yukon is unveiling its 2022–23 report on French-language services. This report highlights efforts focused on strengthening the Government of Yukon's French language capacities in order to increase the public’s access to timely services and information in French as well as the government’s commitment to supporting a thriving Yukon Francophone community.
Main accomplishments include:
- the opening of the Centre de santé Constellation Health Centre, the first primary health care clinic of its kind in the Yukon, which serves as a model of care to build upon in the future;
- a comprehensive public engagement to inform the new strategic framework for French-language services;
- a significant reorganization of the French Language Services Directorate as a client-focused structure to better fulfil its mandate as a central agency; and
- a partnership with the Government of Canada to support Les Essentielles in buying the building that houses their organization.
These accomplishments not only reflect the Government of Yukon’s commitment to enhance access to services and information in French but also to ensure all Yukoners have access to the services they need.
This report concludes the transition year between the 2018–22 strategic framework which, guided the Government of Yukon’s actions and investments to continue meeting the evolving priorities of the growing Yukon Francophone community and the 2023–25 strategic framework tabled at the Yukon Legislative Assembly last November.
2022–23 marked the third year of our five-year agreement with the Government of Canada for the planning and delivery of French-language services throughout the territory. As we move beyond the challenges of the pandemic, I am proud to say that we are maintaining progress in improving French language services for Yukoners. We have prioritized keeping people safe while also continuing to expand the delivery of timely services and information in French. Wishing all Yukoners a happy International Francophonie Day!
Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate John Streicker
The Yukon is home to a thriving Francophone community. According to the latest census, more than 14 per cent of Yukoners speak French, up from 13 per cent in 2011.
The Yukon is Canada’s third most bilingual jurisdiction after Quebec and New Brunswick.
International Francophonie Day is celebrated every year on March 20 with a focus on sharing and appreciating the French language and Francophone cultures. Today. there are over 320 million French speakers living across five continents.
Les Essentielles is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 to represent the interests of Franco-Yukon women and offer them a forum for sharing and mutual support.
The French Language Services Directorate supports, collaborates with and empowers Government of Yukon’s departments and other public bodies to serve and inform the public in French by offering centralized services and financial contributions.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Marie-Claude Desroches-Maheux
Communications, French Language Services Directorate
867-332-6466
marie-claude.desroches-maheux@yukon.ca