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# Government of Yukon and Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon reach a settlement

The Government of Yukon and Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon (CSFY) have reached a settlement agreement to address and resolve all issues from the 2009 lawsuit. They have been negotiating through a joint settlement committee since August 2015.

The two parties worked collaboratively through this committee to resolve issues that were raised during the court case about French First Language education in Yukon. The settlement committee was composed of six members, three nominated by each party.

The Government of Yukon and Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon worked together to clarify the roles and responsibilities in managing French First Language education in Yukon in a way that respects the requirements of both the Yukon Education Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in regard to minority language education rights. A significant outcome of this process has been the agreement on building a new French First Language secondary school, which will provide additional learning spaces, including a gymnasium, and facilities for these programs and the community.

> The settlement of this case is a very positive achievement. Our government worked with the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon to make important changes for French First Language education in Yukon. I am proud of the renewed partnership and look forward to our work together to support French First Language students, and all students in Yukon.

> We are very pleased to have reached a settlement with the Government of Yukon. Through the various agreements we have negotiated, we have created a made-in-Yukon solution and established a solid foundation for the partnership between the CSFY and the Government of Yukon for the provision of French First Language education programs in the territory. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to support our students and their learning while respecting minority education rights.

Quick facts

- The court case was filed in 2009 regarding the Government of Yukon’s obligations under s.23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

- The Government of Yukon and the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon have been negotiating a settlement agreement to resolve all of the outstanding issues, including:

  - Construction of the new French First Language Secondary School
  - Interim measures to address the need for learning spaces at École Émilie-Tremblay;
  - Roles and responsibilities of the School Board of Trustees;
  - Human resources, including teaching staff, at Yukon French First Language schools;
  - Roles and responsibilities in managing French First Language school buildings; and
  - Funding from the previous bilateral agreement.

- The new French First Language Secondary School will be accessible to user groups during evenings and weekends through a Joint Use Agreement with the City of Whitehorse, including the school gymnasium.

- The Government of Yukon and the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon have reached an agreement to ensure the three schools on the Riverdale Campus work collaboratively to optimize the use of facilities.

Media contact

Sunny Patch
Deputy Chief of Staff
867-393-7478
s unny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Maria Paré
Communications, Education
867-332-1506
maria.pare@gov.yk.ca

Audrey Percheron
Communications, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
867-667-8680
audrey.percheron@gov.yk.ca

News release #:
20-088
Related information:
Admission to French first-language schools policy
Section 23 – Minority language educational rights