Statement by New Democrat MP Yvon Godin, Official Languages Critic, on Yukon Francophonie Day

On this day celebrating Yukon’s Francophonie, I would like to express my best wishes and support for the territory’s nearly 3,550 Francophones and Francophiles.

 I had the privilege of visiting the Yukon in February 2011, with the official languages committee. I was able to personally observe the vitality of the Francophone presence, a presence that has been long established.

Over the years, the Franco-Yukon community established many institutions allowing it to maintain and increase the dynamism of the French language: a primary and secondary school, daycare, Centre de la Francophonie and bi-monthly newspaper, to name just a few.

 I would also like to recognize the 30^th anniversary, this year, of the Association franco-yukonnaise, spokesperson for the community and provider of many services for its members.

 I wish everyone a happy Yukon Francophonie Day and congratulate your efforts to promote the growth of the French language and culture in the Yukon.