Official Opening of Yukon's École Émilie-Tremblay
WHITEHORSE, September 12, 1996 Today in Whitehorse, the Honorable Paul Lucier, Senator of the Yukon, officially opened the new building for the Émilie-Tremblay French- language school, on behalf of the Honourable Sheila Copps, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage, at a ceremony also attended by the Yukon Minister of Education, Alan Nordling.Some 110 students from kindergarten to Grade 12 will attend this school, located in the Logan district of Whitehorse. In addition to classrooms, the facilities include a gymnasium, a library, a computer lab and an arts and music room that will serve the whole Whitehorse Francophone community.
Federal funding for this project comes under the subsidiary agreement on construction of École Émilie-Tremblay signed in November 1995 by the federal and Yukon governments. The total cost of the project is $6,754,000, with a Department of Canadian Heritage contribution of $3,000,000 and a contribution of $3,754,000 from the Government of Yukon. Canadian Heritage also contributed a further $250,000 toward a daycare centre to be located on the same site.
This contribution demonstrates sustained federal government support for linguistic duality and the development of official-language communities in Canada. Education is unquestionably an important lever for ensuring community development and a successful future for our country, Mr. Lucier stressed.
Mr. Nordling stated that today we are marking an important occasion. The move to this permanent structure is, I think, symbolic of the durability and strength of the Francophone presence in Yukon.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
Information:
Robert Bousquet
Canadian Heritage
(819) 994-4239
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