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.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Of course you have to establish rights for many long years after that.
February 9th, 2011 / 4:45 p.m.
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Yes.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Personally, I am not particularly fond of courts and that sort of thing. This morning, we met with representatives of the Association franco-ténoise. It would seem that the court process has historically been the favorite approach to win against the government.
Do you think it's normal to have to go through this kind of process to arrive at an agreement that respects our rights?
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
No, absolutely not. It's not just the question of money. We have also invested a great deal of staff time in this. Mr. Brûlot spent one year doing nothing but that. We would prefer to invest that time in educating our children. That's where it should be invested.
I really want the committee to understand that it's the whole community, not just the board. You were asking earlier whether we thought it would be a good idea for everything to be under one roof. We have gotten together I don't know how many times to talk about these things. The community would arrive at an agreement, and then we would wait. The community associations are giving up on this. They say they have to do something and explore other options. You can't blame them.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Has any money under Canada's Economic Action Plan been invested here in Yellowknife, in infrastructure of one kind or another—water systems, sewers, culture, education?
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
It was basically Canadian Heritage that paid 80% of the cost of the initial construction of l'École Allain St-Cyr—it paid less for the first phase of expansion.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Do you know whether money might be available to build other gymnasiums, for example, or a community building? Do you have the impression that Canadian Heritage might support that kind of project?
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
As we see it, it's sort of like a game of ping-pong between the two governments. It seems clear that the NWT government is waiting for Canadian Heritage to pay the same percentage it has traditionally paid.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
And that is 80%, correct?
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Yes.
Conservative
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Canadian Heritage says that this does not fall within its purview and that now, that is a provincial—or in our case—territorial government responsibility. Personally, one way or the other, it makes no difference to me.
Conservative
Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
All of that is causing delays.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Ms. Coderre, to begin with, I would like to commend you for your passion. You are doing an outstanding job in terms of the activities you have organized since you came on board. You said that membership had gone from 40 to 250, which is really a very positive result. Are those members active as volunteers?
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
It's always difficult, because Yellowknife is a microsociety. There are lots of organizations. People quickly end up being overworked when they get involved in a number of different causes. It's always difficult to ensure stability in terms of volunteers.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
We experience the same thing in the South.
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
In my opinion, it is an omnipresent reality. Since we have no employees, I'm all alone. Tomorrow, I have two sugaring off activities with the schools. After a long struggle, I was finally able to find two people to help me. It may not seem like much, but you have to get the necessary equipment there. I have to find people, and that is not necessarily easy to do.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
At the same time, this is an area with very significant natural resources—diamonds, oil, and so on. Are these companies partnering with your Francophone organizations?
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
It is certainly my intention to go and see them. Last year's festival really gave me lot of momentum. There was great feedback. We were in the Spectacular Northwest Territories magazine. Now it will be really easy to approach the City of Yellowknife and other partners, because they believe in us; we have a lot of credibility.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
When does that take place? And what is it called?
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
The Miroir sur la francophonie nordique festival takes place on August 14 and 15.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
And what activities are planned?
Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
There are almost 10 artistic workshops presented by local artists. What we do is present a profile of Francophone communities in the North, with several countries. There was an African music group, Mediterranean grilled food, and a hot air balloon. The following day, we celebrated Acadia by again organizing artistic workshops with local singers, and so on. The hot air balloon was at the Parc Somba'Ke next to the city hall for two days.
I gave a presentation last week to officials at the City of Yellowknife. They greeted me with open arms because they took advantage of that event to promote their park. I see that there are now positive spinoffs and that it is easy to organize a Francophone event in Yellowknife. It has a lot of impact.
As regards the diamond mines, I was told that it was doubtful because these companies already give a lot to other Anglophone organizations. However, one day, it may be possible.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Généreux, I'm sure you will agree with me. Francophones in Yellowknife are a diamond for the community.