Federal Funding Will Support the Construction of Community Spaces in Yukon's First French-Language High School

The Franco-Yukonnais community will benefit from the construction of a new school and community spaces, thanks to the support of the Governments of Canada and Yukon

GATINEAU, QC and WHITEHORSE, Nov. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Official Languages, joined the Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon Minister of Education, today to announce that the two governments will be funding the construction of a new French-language high school and community spaces. This will be the first French-language high school in Yukon's history.

The Government of Canada will provide $7.5 million in funding for community spaces. The Government of Yukon will fund the construction of school spaces. The combined efforts of the two governments will contribute to the development of the vibrant and growing French-speaking community in Yukon.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the vitality and development of official-language minority communities across the country. Our Government will continue to work closely with provinces and territories to provide support for community facilities that serve Canada's official-language minority communities.

Quotes

"Today's announcement demonstrates one thing: the Franco-Yukonnais community is dynamic and growing rapidly. These community spaces will provide French-speaking families, and the greater Yukon community, with places to come together and participate in performances, activities and programming that celebrate the French language and Franco-Yukonnais culture. This project is yet another example of the importance that our government places on our official languages, which are at the heart of who we are as Canadians."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Official Languages

"We are excited to receive the funding announced today from the federal government and to continue the work of building Yukon's first French-language high school. Communities benefit greatly from investments in education, and we are pleased to help Yukon's Francophone community thrive through a dedicated French-language high school in Whitehorse."

—The Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon Minister of Education

"I am very excited for this project. The Francophone community is an important pillar of Yukon, and the new French First Language high school will ensure that we are able to properly accommodate the next generation of Francophone students. It will also ensure that our students receive the education they need in order to excel."

—The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament (Yukon)

Quick Facts

This project will construct the first French-language high school in Yukon's history. This new resource will allow French-speaking students in Yukon to continue their French-language education, from primary school through high school.

Plans for the new high school also include construction of community spaces, including performance space, establishment of new educational programs, and the development of distance learning capacities.

According to 2016 Census data, the number of Yukon residents with French as a first language jumped 10.5% from 2011 to 2016.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For further information: (media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101,1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Sunny Patch, Communications, Cabinet Office, 867-393-7478, [email protected]; Reception and general information - Department of Education, Telephone: [phone], Toll-free (in Yukon): 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5141, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.pch.gc.ca