Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today welcomed the appointment of the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Senator for Manitoba since 2016, as the 46th Speaker of the Senate of Canada. She is the third woman to hold this position in the Senate since its creation in 1867.
A long-time member of the Senate Committee on Official Languages, Senator Gagné is also a strong advocate for minority language rights. Prior to her appointment to the Senate, she worked in the field of education for over 35 years, including as President of the Université de Saint-Boniface and as a member of the Council of Presidents of Manitoba Universities, of which she was elected President in 2012.
Conveniently located on school grounds of École des Voyageurs, the new child care centre will make life easier for Langley Francophone families and, according to Christian Leclerc, president, Fédération des parents francophones de Colombie-Britannique, the child care centre will foster an environment favourable to a strong and thriving Francophone community in the Langley region.
The new Garderie Les aventuriers, featuring approximately 40 licensed spaces, was made possible through $1.3 million for Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF) from the Province’s 2021 Child Care Rapid Renovation Fund.
Canadian Heritage granted $1.6 million in funding over two years to Voilà Community Help’s MétaLingo project, which contributes to the “French Second Language Learning From Early Childhood” pilot project. MétaLingo is a metaverse that will use artificial intelligence to collect information about each student’s learning in order to provide personalized educational content.
The Office of the Commissioner of Yukon has awarded this funding to create opportunities for Yukoners to participate in the celebration of the Yukon Francophonie Day, which this year features five artistic and historical activities that will promote the vitality and diversity of the Yukon Francophone community.
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection – Promotion – Collaboration. It is a five-year plan to reverse the decline of French and promote the vitality of our official-language minority communities.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 is the first Journée québécoise de la francophonie canadienne, which aims to make Quebecers more aware of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities and to highlight the French in Canada.
For more information:
Read the news release of the government of Quebec (French only).
The Minister Responsible for the French Language Services Directorate in Yukon, the Honourable John Streicker, issued a statement for the International Francophonie Day.
For more information:
Read the statement from the Minister Streicker.
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued a statement to mark the International Day of La Francophonie.
For more information:
Read the statement from the Minister Petitpas Taylor.
The Minister responsible for La Francophonie in New Brunswick, the honourable Glen Savoie, issued a statement for the International Francophonie Day.
For more information:
Read the statement from the Minister Savoie.
The Minister of Francophone Affairs in Ontario, the honourable Caroline Mulroney, issued a statement for the International Francophonie Day.
For more information:
Read the statement from the Minister Mulroney.
Francophone teachers and students will benefit from updated K-6 French curriculum and resources in September. Starting this fall, K-3 students in francophone schools across the province will learn from new French First Language and Literature curriculum. Francophone school authorities will also have the option to implement new French curriculum for grades 4 to 6 if they choose.
For more information:
Read the news release of the government of Alberta.
Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, alongside Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, Mona Fortier, announced over $11.4 million in funding to Collège La Cité through the Skills for Success Program. With this investment, Collège La Cité will work in partnership with Collège Éducacentre in British Columbia, Collège Mathieu in Saskatchewan, Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, SkyHive, Essential Skills Group and La Factry to implement the project “Les compétences pour réussir pour une relance économique efficace.” This project will provide Canadians with skills training opportunities to help them meet current job demands and will include the development of nationally available online assessment tools and training resources for skill learning.
For more information:
Read the news release from the government of Canada.
The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, has issued a proclamation to mark the 21st annual B.C. Francophonie Day on March 20.
For more information:
Read the news release of the government of British Columbia.
Alberta unveiled the new version of its French Policy on March 3, 2023. The French Policy of the government of Alberta helps government departments improve their French language services and supports the vitality of the Francophonie in Alberta.
For more information:
Visit the website of the government of Alberta to learn more about their French Policy.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $3.9 million for four projects to support B.C.’s Francophone and Francophile communities.
For more information:
Read the news release of the government of Canada.
The Honourable R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and Minister of Justice for the Northwest Territories issued a statement for the 25th anniversary of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.
For more information:
Read the statement from the Minister Simpson.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface–Saint Vital), announced nearly $5.3 million in funding for two projects at the Université de Saint-Boniface. Minister Vandal made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
For more information:
Read the news release from the government of Canada.
Réseau Santé – Nouvelle-Écosse, which works to ensure Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians receive safe, reliable healthcare, is getting funding from the Province to help attract and recruit bilingual mental health professionals. The fund, worth $2 million in total, is among the recruitment and retention initiatives outlined in Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare.
For more information:
Read the news release of the government of Nova Scotia.
The names of the first recipients of the new Étincelles awards were announced today. The award is presented to schools, early learning and child-care facilities and organizations offering early childhood services. Its purpose is to recognize effective practices and inspiring innovations that enhance the educational experience in the francophone system.
For more information:
Read the news release from the government of New Brunswick.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, along with the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament (Ottawa–Vanier), announced an investment along with the Government of Ontario of more than $34.7 million for the University of Ottawa for five projects supporting French-language post-secondary education.
For more information:
Read the news release from the government of Canada.