Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie – Provincial-Territorial Meeting

Yellowknife, June 22, 2010 – While gathered for the first time in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, for their annual meeting, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie reviewed their governments’ accomplishments over the past 15 years. They also had a promising discussion on future opportunities for the Canadian Francophonie.

“The Conference has positioned itself as a key player in the Canadian Francophonie and its actions contribute to the vitality of the French language and Francophone cultures, promoting a better quality of life for Canadian citizens,” said Mr. Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and Minister responsible for Official Languages with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Lafferty is also the host of the 15^th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.

Over the years, the Conference has enabled ministers to work together, to share best practices, to create partnerships and to identify opportunities for the promotion and the development of Francophones and Acadians. Its membership now includes all governments, which allows for greater cooperation aimed at the advancement of the Canadian Francophonie and Canadian society as a whole.

Intergovernmental collaboration has allowed provinces and territories to come together in areas such as health, literacy, immigration, education, economic development, communications, culture and youth. The establishment of school-community centres, early childhood centres, one-stop service counters and the growing number of awareness campaigns promoting the use of French services are some examples of initiatives which have resulted from this cooperation.

During their meeting with the federal government, provincial and territorial ministers will call for greater cooperation in order to advance their priorities. This includes the federal government maintaining its commitment and providing adequate funding across the country to support the objectives agreed to in French-language services agreements.

The next Conference will take place June 15 and 16, 2011, in the Dieppe-Moncton region, New Brunswick.

 

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Created in 1994, the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie is the only intergovernmental forum bringing together the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The Conference works toward an open, dynamic and diverse Francophonie which contributes to, and fully participates in, the growth of Canadian society.

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Information:

Visit the Web site of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie at www.cmfc-mccf.ca.

Ashley Green
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-920-3059
ashley_green@gov.nt.ca

Chantal Alarie
National Coordinator
Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
Tel: 306-933-6355
chantal.alarie@gov.sk.ca