We asked that this morning, but we were told that it was—
Evidence of meeting #42 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was yukon.
Evidence of meeting #42 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was yukon.
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
11:10 a.m.
Co-Executive Director, Association franco-yukonnaise
That's been done. Even before health services were transferred, there was a plan, the Bénéteau plan. It was published. That plan, which was submitted to the Yukon government, clearly stated what was required in order to achieve a minimum level of service, even before services were transferred from the federal government to the territories.
11:10 a.m.
Co-Executive Director, Association franco-yukonnaise
In the mid-1990s. Then there was the Graham Plan. There have been a number of health plans that have clearly shown the minimum level required. For example, would it cost more to have bilingual reception positions at the institutions? No, we would include that in the job descriptions.
At the hospital where we go, the reception positions are currently unilingual English, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I believe there is one half-time employee working between 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. So you'd better not get sick at 1:00 p.m. because things won't go well at all.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It seems that Mr. Nadon is prepared to answer our questions. I'm somewhat involved in the Cornwall Cultural Centre in my constituency. That cultural centre almost shut down about 18 months ago. The decision was made to develop a plan. We now have almost 200 members. Before that, we had only 12 members. With enthusiasm and work, we've made it to 200 members.
How many members are there at your centre? You don't have a cultural centre?
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
But you do have a francophone community centre?
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
How many members are there? Can people join?
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
Yes, absolutely.
The Association franco-yukonnaise is a bit like a two-headed organization. It's a political mouthpiece, as Régis clearly explained and as you have seen, and it also offers services in various fields: the economy, culture, youth, seniors, education and employability. The Centre de la francophonie in Whitehorse houses all those services.
You've visited its two storeys. We have a small community room. That's somewhat the cultural aspect of the centre. It's mainly a centre that has offices and a community room that's now too small. We use that small room to share and showcase our community's cultural and artistic vitality.
As regards membership, it's possible to have members. However, these aren't the members of a cultural centre; they're the members of the Association franco-yukonnaise.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
How can I, as a francophone, get involved in your centre? Is there a way to do that?
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
Absolutely. You can become a member by buying a membership and take part in the many activities we organize during the year. That's the cultural component of the Association franco-yukonnaise.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
In an attempt to promote the francophone community?
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
Absolutely. In the past few years, we've organized approximately 150 cultural events, projects and activities every year.
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
Yes, 150. We reach 10,000 to 12,000 persons a year. We understand that one individual may take part in a number of events or projects.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
I find that interesting because I want to make a connection with assimilation.
In the youth and culture sector in which I'm engaged, the community is definitely a player, if not the main player, working to counter and block the phenomenon of assimilation. We definitely need the services of departments and governments.
However, as Régis mentioned, it's really the community that makes francophone life vibrant and dynamic.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Are young people involved in your centre? What's the percentage of youths under 18 who are involved?
11:10 a.m.
Director, Cultural and Youth, Association franco-yukonnaise
We're facing challenges with regard to young people. They're there, but we're in the process of, in a way, rebuilding the youth committee. At the French-language school, we mentioned earlier that there were about 50 students between the ages of 12 and 18, plus immersion students. So we're attracting these young people and there are activities for them. We're active.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Are there any bilingual anglophones involved?
