Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories increase support for learning in French as a second language

Canada’s two official languages are an asset for all Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to encouraging bilingualism in Canada, now and for future generations, by creating more opportunities for students to flourish, grow and play at schools in both French and English.

Today, Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced that the Government of Canada is increasing funding by an additional $943,000 over two years to help the Northwest Territories increase the opportunities for French learning. The Northwest Territories is contributing $290,000. Mr. Serré made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

This funding is in addition to more than $11.5 million that the Government of Canada has already provided to the Northwest Territories over four years for French minority-language education and second-language learning.

Among other things, the new funds will make it possible to:

Increase the number of schools offering core French programs;
Increase the number of students enrolled in core French;
Increase the number of grade levels and students enrolled in French immersion.
The additional funding will provide students of the Northwest Territories with more resources and opportunities to learn French as a second language.

The support is in addition to existing funding under the Canada–Northwest Territories Agreement for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2019–20 to 2022–23.