Evidence of meeting #46 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 yellowknife.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
In the cultural sector, you have a lot of activities. You listed some of them. Is that working well?
4:20 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
Yes, the participation rate is exceptional. And it's really interesting to see the wide diversity of activities that are available. We target various audiences for each activity. As far as I am concerned, it is very important that the association's programming not be addressed to only one target group. I have been in the job in Yellowknife for eight months now, and so far, things are working out very well in terms of activities. I'd say my colleague and I have worked miracles. We had no money. We are forever looking to work in partnership and we are constantly in survival mode. Our working capital is not guaranteed. I had to secure a contract for my colleague. She works for a tourist organization 80% of the time, and for the association the rest of the time. So, I am alone to look after everything until April 1, which is the end of the fiscal year. I would just like to mention, once again, that the association manages Radio Taïga, which survives through advertising sales.
What am I supposed to do if one year, sales are not as high as they were the previous year? I have to amortize the costs and run a deficit. Our cash assets are greatly reduced at this point. As I was explaining earlier, there is significant programming, but I don't want that to camouflage the real situation. I do this because I am passionate about it and I am always looking to the future. I want results in order to prepare the future. At this point, there are very positive spinoffs because of our partnerships. That is creating a solid base for our programming and for the future of the association.
At the same time, I'm running out of steam. It's too bad, because there is enormous potential. I also work with youth in Yellowknife. We have established partnerships, but we're always dependent on funders. Even with three contracts, as I explained earlier, I have no money right now. Yet I have $20,000 worth of bills to pay.
So, that's the reality. But we keep going all the same. It's really people's response to the activities that stimulates me. I'm in survival mode. One week, I may sign a small contract, and the next, I am running all the time. I am unable to do any long-term planning whatsoever.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I want to congratulate you and encourage you to keep up your work. The Standing Committee on Official Languages will be making a report that will be submitted in Ottawa, probably to the Minister… right, Mr. Chairman?
4:20 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
Could I add something? In terms of working capital--
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
I'm sorry, I have already departed from the rule somewhat.
Mr. Godin, please.
4:20 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
Sorry.
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Coming back to parents and grandparents, you said earlier that this does not apply to them. However, even if the parent does not speak French, it does apply.
4:20 p.m.
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Section 23 talks about parents who received instruction in French and whose mother tongue is French. However, they may have lost their language. As part of our admission policy, we wanted to consider French heritage. That would then apply to grandparents, even though section 23 does not mention them.
Another criterion was that a parent, a brother or a sister had studied in French and that French was their mother tongue.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Ms. Coderre, you applied for funding under several different programs. Are there certain federal programs where there is more of a delay before you receive the money or before being told that you're not eligible? Have there been cases where you have received a late response? Can you tell us more about that?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
This is my first year in the association. I am still learning about that sort of thing.
I have submitted a lot of applications, particularly to the Local Arts and Heritage Festivals program under Canadian Heritage, but I have not received an answer. I submitted the project on September 30. In terms of programming, I requested $50,000 for the festival season. I will get an answer in April and the performance season is expected to begin in April.
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
On September 30.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
In September, for programming that starts in April. And you are still waiting for an answer. Have they been in touch with you?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
I got in touch with them. I contacted them last week to find out what progress had been made.
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
They simply said they couldn't make any promises and they hoped to be able to give me an answer by the end of March or early April. I am somewhat taken aback by that.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
The application you submitted in September was for an event which is planned for April, and they are waiting until April to tell you whether or not it will be accepted?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
That is correct.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
What do you need? Have you suggested artists and that sort of thing?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
I'm sorry, but if I get an answer in April, I am going to have to delay my performance season.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Last week, officials representing that organization said there was no problem.
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
Really? That's great.
I should mention the quick response time with respect to the linguistic duality program. I applied in September and received an answer in November. That is the only program that responded quickly, and it was a positive response.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
You applied in September, you received an answer in November, and everything worked out. That's great.
4:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
It was the only case; we are still waiting for all the others.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
For the other ones, you will do what I did. You will lose all your hair after pulling it out.