Characteristics
Close to 14% of the Yukon’s population speaks French, which makes the territory the region with the third highest rate of bilingualism in Canada, after Québec and New Brunswick.
Untouched wilderness accounts for more than 80% of the Yukon’s landmass.
L'Aurore boréale is a French-language media outlet dedicated to strengthening the identity of the Yukon’s Francophone community.
An Organization to Represent the Francophone Community
French-speaking people have been active in the Yukon since the 1800s. In 1979, they united together in order 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, AFY has a total of 235 members. It believes in the vision of a strong, vibrant, diverse and inclusive Yukon Francophone community. Its goal is to create, develop and maintain the services, activities and facilities necessary to ensure a high quality of life in French throughout the Yukon through collaboration with its governmental, community and individual partners.
Facebook and Twitter : @AFY867
Immigration
The website Direction Yukon provides you with information in French about the Yukon as well as various resources to help you with finding a job and with integrating into the local community. The Yukon has a welcoming and dynamic community and can offer you an unbeatable work-life balance, a French First Language school, French-language services, many interesting career opportunities and much, much more.
Tourism
The Yukon is the legendary land of dreams that gave rise to the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th century. The daring spirit of its pioneers and the wisdom and culture of its indigenous peoples have left a lasting impact on this land. Its landscapes, its history, its attractions, its facilities and the welcoming nature of its residents make it a premier tourist destination that is sure to satisfy each and every one of its visitors. The Travel Yukon website is an essential resource to help you plan your trip (also available in French at Tourisme Yukon).
Education
French First Language and French Second Language (Core French, Intensive French and French Immersion) programs are available at both the primary and secondary school level. AFY, in collaboration with the Yukon Government’s French Language Services Directorate, also offers courses in French as a second language for adults. You can complete your post-secondary education in English at Yukon College. With a main campus in Whitehorse, this college also offers a network of 13 additional community campuses. Yukon College is the only establishment currently offering postsecondary education in the territory. However, a growing number of universities and colleges are now offering courses and training by correspondence in French.