Evidence of meeting #43 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.
2:20 p.m.
Priest, Comité francophone catholique Saint-Eugène-de-Mazenod
Thanks to the Ministry of Education, these people are able to have Catholic schools through the territorial education system.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
2:20 p.m.
Priest, Comité francophone catholique Saint-Eugène-de-Mazenod
There are five of us in the territory.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
2:20 p.m.
Priest, Comité francophone catholique Saint-Eugène-de-Mazenod
The Francophones are the same ones as before, but I am the only one to serve the Francophone population. We cover the entire territory. Whitehorse is the only place where there are religious services in French. Outside Whitehorse, it is more in the form of visits, or according to needs.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
2:25 p.m.
Executif Director, Les EssentiElles
Actually, one of the priorities of the health care group and the AFY is to promote that idea. However, no strategic plan has been developed by authorities in the Yukon territory for health care services in French. As Régis mentioned this morning, it's very difficult to speak to a government official, because he is in mediation. Our goal is to have a Francophone community health centre.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Brian Murphy Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
Everyone agrees that there is a need for a health care centre. I know that the AFY has been promoting that since 2003, and everyone recognizes that need.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Brian Murphy Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
Colleagues, I think it would be a good idea for the federal government to support that by cutting the ribbon.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
2:25 p.m.
Conservative
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Do you know whether there are young people in the Yukon who are taking health care training through the Consortium de santé en français that exists right across the country?
2:25 p.m.
Executif Director, Les EssentiElles
The Yukon is partnering with the SOFA through the AFY.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Are there young people from the Yukon taking part in the program?
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Yes, young participants? In terms of people being trained?
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
I will be very quick.
You mentioned the baby boom. I have just returned from a mission to Ethiopia where I saw that small steps can result in major changes in terms of the health, not only of mothers, but children as well. As you know, our prime minister has just been appointed joint chair of the UN Committee on Maternal and Child Health. Do you think that Francophone women in the Yukon have the sense that maternal health is a priority?
2:25 p.m.
Executif Director, Les EssentiElles
Are you asking me whether that is considered to be a priority at this time? I really couldn't say. We have been asking for prenatal courses in French for eight years now.
2:25 p.m.
Executif Director, Les EssentiElles
They tell us there will be this year, but it's always like that. We have been asking for them for eight years now and we're still waiting.
2:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Ms. Zarac.
Perhaps our witnesses would like to make some closing comments before we adjourn the meeting.