This news release has been edited for added clarification on the topics discussed during the public engagement.
The Government of Yukon has released a What We Heard report highlighting feedback from Yukoners and stakeholders regarding areas of success, potential improvements and future actions to enhance access to French-language services and information.
The report presents feedback gathered through targeted meetings on topics ranging from a discussion with high-school students on the recruitment of bilingual youth for Yukon government jobs to actions that can foster a vibrant Francophonie with the Francophone community stakeholders.
Solutions put forward to increase access to services include:
- Leveraging technologies;
- Recruiting and retaining bilingual employees, especially in the health sector; and
- Better promoting services and programs readily available in French.
The comments gathered will help shape the next strategic framework for French-language services and communications and prioritize actions over the next two years. This new roadmap will build on the successes of the previous frameworks and guide investments to keep serving the growing Yukon Francophone community.
The Yukon Francophone community is growing, and we want to ensure that our services align with the evolving priorities of the community. Building on our commitment to increasing access to services and information in French, the feedback received will help shape our new strategic framework for French-language services and communications.
Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate John Streicker
More than 14 per cent of Yukoners speak French (up from 13 per cent in 2011), maintaining the territory’s ranking as Canada's third most bilingual jurisdiction, after Quebec and New Brunswick, according to the Census of Population 2021.
The Government of Yukon engaged with French-speaking Yukoners and stakeholders in December 2022.
‘’Francophonie’’ designates the ensemble of people and organizations that share the use of French on a daily basis and as administrative language, teaching language or chosen language.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Marie-Claude Desroches-Maheux
Communications, French Language Services Directorate
867-332-6466
marie-claude.desroches-maheux@yukon.ca