23rd Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie – Provincial-Territorial

NEWS RELEASE – The Provinces and Territories Call for a Strengthened Partnership with the Federal Government to Improve Services in French

July 5, 2018

The provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie met today in Whitehorse, Yukon, to discuss the provision of government services in French. Under the theme “Keeping in touch,” they discussed means that could be implemented to continue progressing towards their respective objectives of offering more services and information in French.

The provincial and territorial members of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie reaffirmed their commitment to their Francophone community. They also recognize the merits of the investments set out in the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future presented by the Canadian government in March 2018.

The ministers take issue, however, with the fact that the federal funding allocated to the agreements on the delivery of services in French in the provinces has not increased since 2004. They drew attention to their efforts in meeting the increasing needs and expectations of Francophone and Acadian communities across the country.

Each province and territory has an act, policy or program for the delivery of services in French. “We are delighted that government services are increasing across the country because they are essential to the vitality of our Francophone and Acadian communities and benefit all Canadians,” stated the Honourable John Streicker, Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate of the Yukon Government and Conference Co-chair.

“We recognize that there are growing demands and a diversity of needs in our communities. It is critical that provinces, territories and the federal government work in partnership to explore opportunities for intergovernmental cooperation so that services and information in French can continue to increase steadily,” concluded the Conference co-chair.

The next Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie will be held in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, on June 27 and 28, 2019. Nunavut’s legislation recognizes the Inuit language, English and French as the territory’s official languages.

*Due to the recent swearing in of a new government, Ontario participated in this meeting as an observer.

The Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, created in 1994, is the only intergovernmental forum that brings together the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The Conference works for an open, dynamic, and diverse Francophonie that contributes to, and participates fully in, the growth of Canadian society. For more information, consult the website of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie at www.cmfc-mccf.ca.

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Information:

Sylvie Painchaud
National Coordinator
Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
506-292-3415
Sylvie.painchaud@gnb.ca

Nancy Power
Communications and Policy Manager
French Language Services Directorate
Yukon Government
867-667-8970
Nancy.power@gov.yk.ca