INDIAN AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA

WHITEHORSE, YUKON--(Marketwire - Nov. 28, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians today announced funding for economic development projects led by the Association Franco-Yukonnaise.

"The Government is proud to support the Yukon's vibrant French community," said Minister Strahl. "These projects by the Association Franco-Yukonnaise contribute to long-term sustainable economic growth, job and income opportunities for Northerners and the promotion of innovation and knowledge in the Yukon."

The Association Franco-Yukonnaise (AFY) has received funding over two years through Canada's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nth/ecd/index-eng.asp) (SINED) initiative for three projects: a social marketing campaign to raise public awareness on AFY services, a tourism marketing project to increase the number of French-language tourists in the Yukon, and a feasibility study for the development of a Business Language Training Centre through the Adult Orientation and Training Service (SOFA).

"AFY is proud to have INAC as one of its key partners in these projects," said Regis St Pierre, Acting Executive Director of the Association.

This announcement reinforces the Government's commitment to advance an integrated Northern Strategy that will strengthen Canada's Arctic sovereignty, protect the North's environmental heritage, promote social and economic development, and improve and devolve northern governance.

BACKGROUNDER

Association Franco-Yukonnaise

The Association Franco-Yukonnaise (AFY) has been involved in the socio-economic development of Yukon's Francophone community for 25 years. Its mandate is to improve the quality of life for the Yukon Francophone community by undertaking activities in education, economic development, culture, communications, promotion of French language services and politics. Its mission is to create and develop with partners the services, activities and institutions necessary for the Yukon Francophone community to be viable and reach its full potential.

Projects

1) Social Marketing Campaign

INAC contributed $84,052 through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) Innovation and Knowledge fund for a social marketing campaign. This project brings awareness to the general public about the Association and helps alleviate discrimination against the French community. Project activities included updating and translating their website, developing a CD-ROM, touring a number of communities and presenting the organisation and its services, and developing workshops that raise awareness of the Francophone community's history, achievements and challenges in Canada and the Yukon. This project aims to create a more inclusive community, and promote greater visibility and use of community and government services. Heritage Canada contributed $37,432 to this project.

2) Tourism Marketing

The Association received $52,819 from the Innovation and Knowledge Fund for a tourism marketing project. This project contributed to the economy by increasing the number of French tourists to the Yukon. The project included a study on the French tourism market, a tourism promotion campaign on French language travel websites and other targeted sites, participation in three tourism fairs in France, and the production of French postcards and a French language tourism guide. The Government of Yukon contributed $18,000 to this project.

3) Adult Orientation and Training

In 2008/09 the AFY received $57,080 through SINED's Targeted Investment Fund for their Adult Orientation and Training Service. This funding will go towards assessing the feasibility of setting up a business language training centre focussed on adult occupational language training. Such a centre would improve the employability of the Yukon workforce by ensuring that people have access to the language training they need to be successful in their careers.

More on Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) (http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nth/ecd/index-eng.asp)

This release and backgrounder are also available on the Internet at www.inac.gc.ca