CHRONOLOGY OF YUKON FRENCH
LANGUAGE ISSUES
1969
The Official Languages Act is passed.
1979
The Yukon Government Policy (Policy 1/40) declares that "Where
applicable, departments will be responsible for providing service to the
public in either official language".
1980
The Commissioner of Official Languages (COL) suggests improvements
in the level of French language services provided by the Yukon
Government.
May 1981
The Minister of Northern Affairs communicates to the Government
Leader the recommendations made by the Commissioner of Official
Languages.
March 1982
A discussion paper, Provision of French Language Services, is
prepared by Intergovernmental Relations, Government of the Yukon.
1982
The Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
guarantee language rights contained in the Official Languages Act.
1982
The Association des Franco-yukonnais incorporates.
1983
Daniel St-Jean, a Whitehorse man, contests a unilingual speeding ticket
on constitutional grounds. The federal government, anticipating that he
will win his court case, announces it will bring in federal legislation
declaring the two territories bilingual.
1983
The Association des Franco-yukonnais receives its first grant from the
Secretary of State.
1983
The Yukon Government requests advice from the Office of the
Commissioner of Official Languages on improving its French language
services.
May 1983
An official from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
visits Whitehorse and files a report on the level of services available,
with recommendations for improvements.
1983/1984
The Yukon Government prepares a submission requesting $ 86,000 to
improve French language services, plus a sum of $ 115,000 to be
allocated to the territorial base for subsequent years (Memo GLO85-
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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454 dated July 8, 1985. In March 1987, Finance confirms $ 105,000
approved and ongoing since 84/85.). This level of funding is approved,
and the territorial base adjusted accordingly. The funds, however, are
never specifically allocated to the improvement of French language
services.
March 1984
Bill C-26, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Act and the Yukon
Act, to extend the application of the Official Languages Act to the Yukon
and NWT is tabled in the House of Commons. The Yukon Government
argues that this Bill is an "onerous" attack on its legislative authority.
June 1984
Bill C-26 dies on the Order Paper with the dissolution of Parliament.
June 28, 1984
Assent is given to an Ordinance to Recognize and Provide for the Use
of the Aboriginal Languages and to Establish the Official Languages of
the N.W.T. The French part of this Ordinance is to be proclaimed in
1989.
June 1985
A Supreme Court of Canada judgement rules that Manitoba's unilingual
English laws are invalid.
July 1985
The Yukon Cabinet resolves to enter into discussions with the
Government of Canada on the French language issue.
October 1985
A Yukon Cabinet memorandum establishes an Internal Working Group
on French language services.
November 1985
The Commissioner of Official Languages writes to the Government
Leader outlining four priority areas for further action: Laws, Education,
Tourism and the Public Library.
December 1985
The Association des Franco-yukonnais (AFY) writes to the Government
Leader expressing regret that they have not been consulted on current
negotiations between the Federal Minister of Justice and the Yukon
Minister of Justice on French language issues.
Jan. 10, 1985
The Government Leader replies to AFY noting "my government is
committed to improving the level and scope of French services available
through the Yukon Government". The letter notes that an Action Plan
should be developed by April 1, 1986 and that the Association will be
consulted for the development of recommendations.
Jan. 21, 1986
The Yukon Government Working Group meets with the President of
AFY and reiterates the government's intention to improve French
language services.
The Government Leader replies to the Office of the Commissioner of
Official Languages and notes that the Yukon Government Working
Feb. 7, 1986
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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Group is preparing a Plan of Action.
Feb. 1986
AFY presents a Brief to the Yukon Government on the needs of the
Yukon Francophone community.
June 1986
Talks between the Government of Canada and the Yukon Government
on a language agreement break down, with the federal government
insisting that the Yukon Government agree to official bilingualism.
Sept. 22, 1986
The Federal Minister of Justice telephones the Yukon Government
Leader to come to Ottawa to see if the two could strike a deal.
Sept. 23, 1986
The Government Leader in Ottawa informs the Whitehorse media that
negotiations have broken down, and that an agreement is not possible.
Sept. 24, 1986
Whitehorse Star articles explain the positions as follows:
"The standing offer from the federal government, if the Yukon declares
itself officially bilingual, is services in excess of $4 million for native
language groups between 1988 and 1993, and a larger, undisclosed
amount for Francophones. Penikett has suggested to Hnatyshyn that
the money be handed over by the federal government now to allow for
the additional services, but without immediate official bilingualism. In
return, the Yukon Government was to agree simply to renegotiate the
bilingualism issue with Ottawa in 1992, and it would bring in legislation
in the meantime to protect the proposed additional services for both
Francophones and Indian people". "Hnatyshyn's predecessor, John
Crosbie, had approved the provision of extra services at federal
expense early this year, before it was rejected by a federal cabinet bent
on immediate official bilingualism. That has lead to territorial officials
suggesting that the large contingent of Quebec cabinet ministers is
behind the demand. Penikett is sticking to this stand against federally
ordered official bilingualism for the Yukon. He is however, willing to
offer new French language and native language services and to protect
them by legislation if Ottawa pays for them".
First day of the St-Jean case in the Yukon Supreme Court.
Sept. 25, 1986
CBC hosts a one hour morning open line show, asking "should the
territory become bilingual?" At 12:30 that day, CBC describes the
results: "For an hour this morning, Yukoners replied and the vast
majority said no...comments from callers: -- many people said that
official bilingualism would not be fair to Yukon Indians; there were some
callers who said maybe upgrade French language services, but do not
go to full bilingualism. But, a handful wanted official status of French.
Out of 26 calls received only 3 supported bilingualism; 18 were against."
It's hardly a scientific poll, but it's strong evidence to support the Yukon
Government's contention that forced bilingualism would be unpopular,
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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and very divisive.
Sept. 26, 1986
The Whitehorse Star headlines: "Court Says No to Bilingualism". "the
Yukon is an infant province with most but not all the powers of a
province, and is therefore not bound by the Constitutionally-entrenched
bilingualism rules imposed on the federal government. Judge Meyer
added that he notes with approval, that the federal government
indicated in its court submission it is committed to enhancing the
language rights of Canadians, including those in the Yukon".
Oct. 24, 1986
St-Jean files an appeal against the recent Yukon Supreme Court
decision.
November 1986
The Hébert Report, Language Rights in Canadian Education, is
published.
Nov. 12, 1986
The Yukon Court of Appeal will hear St-Jean's appeal, but it is uncertain
whether Secretary of State will cover his legal costs. St-Jean does not
know if he will proceed without financial assistance for legal costs.
Dec. 19, 1986
"Official bilingualism in the N.W.T. resembles Ottawa's language policy
about as much as English resembles Inuktitut" -- Canadian Press article
carried in the Whitehorse Star.
Jan. 23, 1987
Discussions with Secretary of State, B.C./Yukon Region, result in their
earmarking $ 100,000 for use by the Yukon Government to improve
French language services in 1987-88.
Jan. 29, 1987
The Yukon Government Working Group meets with the President of
AFY. The Group explains that despite refusal of the Yukon Government
to sign a language agreement with Canada, the Yukon Government
remains committed to both improving its own French language services
and lobbying the federal government to improve its services in Yukon.
February 1987
The Turenne Report on Considerations Regarding the Establishment of
French Language Services in the Government of Yukon is published.
Feb. 9, 1987
A local consultant is hired to prepare the framework for developing a
Plan of Action on French language services.
Feb. 10, 1987
The Yukon Government consults with the Senior Advisor for Manitoba's
French Language Services.
Week of
Feb. 23, 1987
Government officials of the Northwest Territories are in Ottawa
negotiating with Secretary of State regarding the establishment and
staffing of a French component to their Language Bureau for 1987-88.
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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April 24, 1987
The Canadian Council for Social Development gives St-Jean verbal
assurance that it will finance his appeal.
May 1987
The Rosewood Report on French Language Services - A Framework for
a Plan of Action is published.
May 4, 1987
Ray Hnatyshyn, Minister of Justice, sends a letter to Penikett inquiring
as to the prospect of pursuing an agreement with the federal
government.
May 15, 1987
Consultants complete their report, with recommendations for enhanced
French language services.
May 25, 1987
The Government of Yukon officials meet with AFY President to discuss
the Consultants' report and future plans.
June 10, 1987
Mr. Penikett replies to Mr. Hnatyshyn that the Yukon Government
cannot enter into an agreement with the Government of Canada that
confers official status upon the French language in the Yukon.
June 21, 1987
Amendments to the Official Languages Act are introduced with the
NWT specifically excluded. Legal advice indicates that the Act may be
applicable to the Yukon.
July 1987
The Government Leader meets with federal Ministers Crombie and
Hnatyshyn and is told French as an official language is their bottom line.
October 1987
Secretary of State officials indicate that funding for French language
services for the Yukon is now a political decision made in the Minister's
office, presently due to the impasse in agreement with the Federal
Government.
November 1987
A Yukon Government Cabinet Document is drafted which identifies
French and aboriginal language services that could be implemented
unilaterally.
January 1988
At the urging of senior federal justice officials, a meeting is held in
Whitehorse to consider new wording.
February 1988
An agreement is reached among officials and the proposal is passed to
the Prime Minister's Office.
March 1988
AFY convinces the Fédération des Francophones Hors Québec to lobby
the federal government to sign the agreement.
The Yukon Government applies to appear before the Parliamentary
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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Committee investigating the Official Languages Act.
April 28, 1988
The Canada-Yukon Language Agreement is signed.
May 1988
The Yukon Languages Act is passed by the Legislative Assembly. The
Act stipulates that Yukon people have the right to receive services from
the government in English or in French. As well, French may be used in
the legislature and the courts, and all Yukon laws are to be written,
adopted and published in English and in French.
November 1988
The Bureau of French Language Services is created to oversee the
implementation and promotion of the Yukon government's French
language services in accordance with the Languages Act.
February 1989
French and Aboriginal Languages Services is established.
The Yukon and the federal governments sign the Canada-Yukon
Funding Agreement on the Development, Enhancement and
Implementation of French Language Rights and Services to enable the
Yukon government to carry out the provisions and objectives of the
Languages Act.
June 1989
The Advisory Committee on French Language Services is created to
advise the Minister of the Executive Council Office on any matter
related to the Languages Act and the implementation of government
services in French.
July 1989
The Department of Justice hires a bilingual legislative counsel for
drafting laws in both English and French.
February 1990
The Department of Justice hires a second bilingual legislative counsel.
April 1990
The Report on Implementation of French Language Services, Phase I Identification of Services is submitted.
September 1990
The Department of Education hires a bilingual superintendent.
Jan. 1, 1991
As of this date, all Yukon legislation is written, adopted and published in
English and in French (statutes, regulations and Orders in Council).
Elections are held in French for the first time for École ÉmilieTremblay's School Council.
February 1991
June 1991
Daniel Mathieu of the Institut Joseph-Dubuc submits his Report on the
Implementation of French Language Services within the Court Services
Branch of the Yukon Department of Justice.
October 1991
Cabinet approves the French Language Policy.
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November 1991
The first bilingual birth certificate is issued by the Department of Health
& Social Services.
November 1991
The Review of Personnel Management Policies and Practices for the
Implementation of FLS is presented to the Advisory Committee on
French Language Services.
December 1991
The Yukon Model is adopted as a central service delivery model for
French language services.
March 1992
A Proposal for the Implementation of French Language Signage and
Advertising is submitted.
Spring 1992
French language services plans for priority departments are drafted and
approved.
Feb. 1990 to
May 1992
6 trials are held in French, including one jury trial.
August 1992
Aurèle Bénéteau presents his report on the Hospital FLS Study.
October 1992
All documentation and forms for the territorial elections are now
bilingual.
November 1992
The translation and design of bilingual public forms begin.
The Bureau of French Language Services opens up its French inquiry
centre.
January 1993
This date marks the official implementation of French language services
within the Yukon government.
A document is prepared which examines the initiatives taken and the
results achieved five years after signing the Canada-Yukon Funding
Agreement. A Joint Review contains a joint assessment by officials of
the Executive Council Office of the Yukon government and of the
Secretary of State of the Government of Canada.
March 1993
The first bilingual signs are erected in Court Services (Department of
Justice), the Bureau of French Language Services and the
Commissioner's Office.
April 1993
The Canada-Yukon Funding Agreement is renewed for another fiveyear term (1993-98). This agreement signals the beginning of significant
cuts in funding.
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The department of Justice nominates a French-speaking Justice of the
Peace.
April 1993
A conference is held on counselling services in the Yukon to initiate
discussions on ways to offer some French services to the francophone
clientele. Participants to the conference include the Bureau of French
Language Services, the department of Health & Social Services, the
Yukon Family Services Association, Kaushee's Place, Crossroads
Treatment Centre, the Child Development Centre and the Association
franco-yukonnaise (AFY).
April 1993
Whitehorse General Hospital is transferred to the Yukon Government
by Health Canada without provision for the delivery of French language
services at the hospital in the agreement. This responsibility remains
with Health Canada as a result.
May 1993
A Francophone is named to the Yukon Hospital Corporation Board by
Health & Social Services Minister Willard Phelps.
October 1993
A bilingual health services information agent is hired by the department
of Health & Social Services.
December 1993
All acts and regulations made before December 31, 1990 are
consolidated and republished in both English and French.
February 1994
A bilingual social worker is hired by the department of Health & Social
Services.
Graham & Associates submits A Plan to Implement French Language
Service at Whitehorse Hospital to the Yukon Hospital Corporation.
March 1994
The Bureau of French Language Services publishes its first Annual
Report.
April 1994
The Department of Justice hires a bilingual counter clerk for Court
Services.
September 1994
The Yukon Hospital Corporation hires a part-time bilingual coordinator
to implement the Hospital's plan for the delivery of French language
services to the public.
January 1995
The Department of Community and Transportation Services hires a
bilingual counter clerk in the Motor Vehicle Section.
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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August 1995
The Guidelines for Advertising, Publishing and Other Forms of
Communication in French are published and distributed throughout the
government.
June 7, 1995
Francophones vote for the creation of a school board to replace the
existing school council in their jurisdiction. This school board will be the
first one in the Yukon.
November 1995
The Yukon Francophone School Board of Education Area 23 holds its
first elections.
Dec. 4, 1995
Education Minister Willard Phelps swears in the first members of the
Yukon Francophone School Board.
September 1996
Opening of the new building of the École Émilie-Tremblay.
April 1997
Universal Health Programs are transferred to the Yukon Government by
Health Canada without and provisions for the delivery of French
language services in the transfer agreement. This responsibility remains
with Health Canada as a result.
March 1997
A report is published on the Evaluation of the Canada-Yukon Funding
Agreement on the Development, Enhancement and Implementation of
French Language Services 1993-1998.
October 1997
Official complaint lodged with the Commissioner of Official Languages
by the Association franco-yukonnaise with regards to the lack of
services in French at the Whitehorse General Hospital and in the
Universal Health Care Programs, both recently devolved to the Yukon
Government by Health Canada without provisions for such services.
December 1997
Restructuring of the Executive Council Office. The Bureau of French
Language Services and Public Communication Services are merged
under one directorship.
January 1998
The Bureau of French Language services moves to the Administration
Main Building and shares office with the other Executive Council
Office’s branches.
April 1998
A one-year extension of the 1993-1998 Agreement is signed for the
1998-1999 since the new five-year agreement is still under negotiation.
July 9 & 10, 1998
Ministerial Conference on Francophone Affairs is held in Whitehorse
(minutes)
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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January 1999
Letter from the Commissioner of Official Languages to the Deputy
Minister of Health with some recommendations on what is needed to
address the situation.
March 1999
Meeting of the representatives of the Governments of Canada (Health
Canada & Canadian Heritage) and Yukon, the Yukon Hospital
Corporation and the Association franco-yukonnaise to address issues
related to the provision of French language services for those services
devolved by Health Canada in 1993 and 1996 to the Yukon (minutes).
April 1999
The Canada-Yukon Funding Agreement is renewed for another fiveyear term (1999-2004). Also, it is agreed that funding will be provided
for three special projects:
- Consolidation of the Yukon Statutes
- the publication twice a month of the Aurore boréale
- the development of a five-year strategic plan for French
language services at the Whitehorse General Hospital and
the Whitehorse Health Centre for training and for minimal
interim delivery of those services to French-speaking patients.
April 1999
Letter from AFY to the Commissioner of Official Languages to amend
his recommendations to Health Canada and make them more specific
and prescriptive.
Letter from AFY to YTG requesting that some of the increased funding
being transferred to the Territory for health be used to provide French
services.
April 1999
March 1999
Letter from the Yukon’s Health Minister to AFY explaining that the
funding referred to in the April letter represents only a portion of the
funds cut by Canada over the last few years and that the funds must be
reinserted into the general health system. He undertakes to discuss the
absence of a linguistic clause in the transfer agreements with Health
Canada.
October 1999
The Government of Yukon agrees to provide $500,000 towards the
construction of the “Centre de la francophonie” and writes a letter to
Minister Copps asking her to contribute funds to the project.
November 1999
The Government of Yukon signs an agreement with Canadian Heritage
to administer the $750,000 in funding they are providing towards the
construction of the “Centre de la francophonie”.
November 1999
The Government of Yukon signs an agreement with AFY to contribute
funds to the project of the Association franco-yukonnaise “Centre de la
francophonie” and thus, becomes a partner with the Government of
Canada and the French community in this venture.
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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December 1999
AFY contacts Health Minister Rock to request his intervention in
resolving the problem of French language health services in the
Yukon.
January 2000
Yukon Department of Tourism building has all of its signs made
bilingual.
February 2000
Yukon Department of Tourism and the Bureau of French Language
Services collaborate on a project to send a representative to France
to market the Yukon as a Tourist destination especially for second
language learning.
November 2000
Bureau of French Language Services is transferred to Government
Services from Executive Council Office. The francophone community
expresses concerns regarding this transfer but are reassured that
the Director will report to the Deputy Minister of Government
Services for operational issues and to the Deputy Minister of
Executive Council Office for intergovernmental issues.
January 2001
Association franco-yukonnaise move into their new building.
March 2001
Official opening of the Centre de la francophonie.
January 2002
Letter sent by lawyer from the AFY to Canada and Yukon
governments threatening legal action if the two governments don’t
undertake serious discussions to resolve the health issue
March 2002
Government of Yukon contributes $20,000 towards the construction
of an extension to the Garderie du petit cheval blanc with the
community adding a further $10,000 and Canadian Heritage to
contribute $145,000 towards the project by YTG.
June 2002
Canadian Heritage agrees to contribute the funding and the project
is launched. Unfortunately, time is too short to construct and the
project is delayed a year.
August 2002
French Programs Division of the Department of Education is
dismantled and taken up by Infrastructure.
September 2002
Letter from Pat Duncan stating that she recognized that the
community had been patient and accepting that they were thinking of
taking legal action and encouraged the community to do so.
November 4, 2002 Election sees a new Yukon Party government elected.
December 12, 2002 Community meets with Premier Fentie to discuss major issues
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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including the pending legal actions in Health and Education.
March 12, 2003
Premier Fentie sends a letter to AFY reiterating his governments
preference to resolve the Health and Education issues through
negotiation rather than through the courts contrary to the previous
government.
AFY agree to hold off on initiating legal action pending
developments.
April 2003
Yukon government and community contribute a further $9,000 and
Canadian Heritage a further $12,000 towards the cost of the day
care extension to meet shortfalls.
October 2003
Lawyer for AFY sends letters of intent to take legal action against the
governments of Canada and Yukon on the health issue and a
second letter of intent to take legal action against the Yukon
government in Education is also sent.
April 2003
Canada and Yukon governments agree to open discussions on
health issues with the goal of finding a negotiated settlement.
May 2003
Construction of the extension to the Garderie du petit cheval blanc
begins.
June 17, 2003
Governments meet with the francophone community to explain the
plan regarding health care negotiations and to assure them that the
community will be fully consulted throughout the process.
July 9, 2003
The first negotiating meeting in health between the two governments
takes place in Whitehorse.
Sept 18-19/2003
Minister Hart attends Ministerial Conference on Francophone Affairs
in Winnipeg
October 2003
Draft Plan for bilingual health services is agreed to by members of
the community and the Yukon Government.
November 2003
Bilingual Health Services agreement is accepted in principal by
Ottawa
March 31/2004
Special project for a web site coordinator is accepted by Canadian
Heritage
Chronology of Yukon French Language Issues
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Summer 2004
Special project for extension to the community centre
Oct 14-15/2004
Minister Hart attends Ministerial Conference on Francophone Affairs
in Moncton
Oct 15/2004
The Yukon signs a bilateral agreement with Quebec
Nov 2004
Premier meets francophone community as part of community tour
January 2005
AFY proposes a series of cultural activities and receives $10,000
from Quebec and $17,000 from the government of the Yukon as part
of the bilateral agreement with Quebec
April 12/2005
Premier Fentie announces the creation of a Directorate of French
Language Services
Oct 13-14/2005
Minister Hart attends Ministerial Conference on Francophone Affairs
in Regina
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