Mr. Chair, members of the committee, good day.
I'd like to thank you for inviting the Fédération franco-ténoise to outline the priorities of francophones living in the Northwest Territories, in preparation for the next federal budget.
Since its inception in 1998, the Fédération franco-ténoise has been the voice of Northwest Territories francophones before the federal and territorial governments and their various agencies. The federation also provides a whole range of French language services to the community.
According to the latest census data, francophones whose mother tongue is French account for 3.04% of the general population, whereas slightly above 10% of People of the North have the ability to speak French.
In light of the general community development plan, a product of consultations with Franco-People of the North, and given their understanding of the realities on the ground, the federation and francophone organizations and institutions are in a unique position to implement innovative solutions for enhancing the vitality and supporting the development of Franco-People of the North.
First, in order to invest in these organizations' capacity to carry out their mission, we need to embrace the “by and for” approach, which allows communities to decide for themselves what their needs and priorities are and to make recommendations about where government investments earmarked for their development should be targeted.
Second, we need to give community organizations and institutions the means to provide services specifically designed for the communities they serve.
Third, we need to ensure that every decision and action involving these communities is based on facts.
Fourth, we need to establish strategic partnerships with minority francophone communities as well as with majority language communities.
Fifth, we need to assess the real impact of the situation on francophone citizens.
Let us return to the issue of the steps the federal government could take to help Canadians be more productive. The Government of Canada announced major investments in the fields of infrastructure, digital media, early childhood and youth employment. This represents meaningful action and reflects sound priorities. That said, just because a federal program is offered to everyone, in both official languages, does not mean that it will benefit minority francophone communities.
We recommend that the next budget include initiatives specifically designed to allow minority francophone communities to benefit from investments.
When we talk about our inadequate or non-existent social infrastructure and community centres, when we say there aren't enough resources for French language programs, then we'd certainly be remiss if we let this opportunity to strengthen the francophonie in the Northwest Territories pass us by.
To us, infrastructure funding could mean having a community centre in Yellowknife, or French language daycare centres—both of which are desperately needed across the territory—or affordable housing, which would allow our communities to maintain or increase their demographic weight by ensuring francophone migration and immigration.
In light of all this, I believe that the federal government could really make a difference in our communities by reviewing its investments in social infrastructure and by adding measures tailored to the realities of minority francophone communities.
Funds intended for digital media, including specific initiatives intended for small communities like ours, could help our media organizations, including community radio stations and newspapers, transition to newer technologies as well as promote high speed Internet access in our communities. Similarly, the government could create mechanisms using some of the funds already invested in the youth employment strategy in order to help our local youth find jobs.
The message I want to leave you with today is that enhancing the vitality and supporting the development of Franco-People of the North communities and indeed of all minority francophone communities across the country, as required by the Official Languages Act, can often be achieved through existing programs and investments.
Thank you.