Yukon
Characteristics
Nearly 14% of Yukon’s population speaks French, making the territory the third-largest bilingual region in Canada, after Quebec and New Brunswick. According the 2021 census, there are 4,295 bilingual people in Yukon, including 1,130 for whom French is their mother tongue.
Organization representing the Francophone population
French speakers have been active in Yukon since the 1800s. In 1979, they united to promote the use of the French language and to assert their linguistic rights. In 1982, they formed the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) and adopted its first constitution. Today, the AFY has 235 members. It believes in the vision of a strong, vibrant, diverse and inclusive Franco-Yukonnais community. Its mission is to create, develop and maintain the services, activities and facilities necessary to ensure a high quality of life in French throughout Yukon in collaboration with its government, community and private partners.
Immigration
The Direction Yukon website provides information about Yukon and offers employment and newcomer integration resources. Yukon is a welcoming and dynamic community, offering an unbeatable work-life balance, French schools and services, many interesting career opportunities and much, much more.
Tourism
Yukon, a legendary land of dreams, was the setting for the gold rush in the late 19th century. It is deeply influenced by the bold spirit of the pioneers and the wisdom of the Indigenous culture. Its landscape, history, attractions, facilities and welcoming nature of its people make it a destination of choice for all visitors. The Travel Yukon website is an essential tool to help you plan your stay in French. A road trip on the Dempster Highway, the only Arctic highway open year-round, will satisfy the adventurous.
For more details, visit Salut Canada.
Education
French first-language and French second-language programs (core French, intensive French and French immersion) are offered at the elementary and high school levels. The AFY, in collaboration with the Yukon Government’s French Language Services Directorate, also offers French second-language courses for adults. Higher education in English is available at Yukon University. The university’s main campus is located in Whitehorse, but it also has a network of 13 other community campuses. It is the only institution offering post-secondary education in the territory. However, a growing number of colleges and universities offer distance education and courses in French.
