Canada Invests $13.5 Million to Enhance French Education in Yukon

The Government of Canada has committed more than $13.5 million to enhance French education in the Yukon. This funding was announced on September 29, 2023, at CSSC Mercier, a French-language high school located in Whitehorse. The initiative aims to support both French as a minority language and French as a second language, extending educational opportunities from pre-school through to post-secondary levels.

During the announcement, several key figures highlighted the importance of bilingualism in Canada. Jean Sebastien Blais, president of the Commission Scolaire Francophone du Yukon, Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, and John Streicker, Minister of the Yukon government, emphasized the significance of fostering a vibrant French-speaking community.

“More than just words, language is a living expression of culture, a way of seeing, sharing and shaping the world around us,” Hanley remarked. He noted that the Franco-Yukon community holds a notable position in Canada, having the third-highest French-speaking population per capita. Hanley added that this community is actively engaged and plays a vital role in shaping the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the territory.

The funding agreement, signed by Hanley and Streicker, establishes a formal partnership between the federal and territorial governments to promote minority-language education. The total funding of over $13.5 million will be disbursed over four years and is specifically designated to enhance the availability and quality of French education in the region.

This initiative reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting bilingualism and recognizing the importance of French language and culture in the Yukon. By facilitating access to French education, the government aims to ensure that both students learning French as a first language and those acquiring it as a second language can thrive in an inclusive educational environment.

The agreement and financial backing are expected to strengthen the educational landscape for French-speaking students and contribute to the preservation and promotion of French culture in the Yukon. As the territory continues to grow, initiatives like this play a crucial role in fostering understanding and appreciation of linguistic diversity.