A political visit to the Collège Nordique: A dialogue on French postsecondary education in the Northwest Territories

On February 19, 2025, Collège Nordique had the honour of welcoming Joël Godin, Conservative Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Portneuf–Jacques-Cartier, and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Official Languages. This visit provided an opportunity to discuss linguistic and educational issues affecting the Francophone community in the Northwest Territories. 

A strong interest in the Collège Nordique 

Joël Godin has been following the development of the Collège Nordique for several years. The invitation he extended to the Collège to participate in the work of the Committee on Official Languages testifies to his commitment to the Francophonie in a minority context. His interest in the CLIC (Language Instruction for Immigrants in Canada) programs and their roll-out in the territories highlights a shared concern: the vitality and sustainability of French in the North. 

This issue is particularly crucial in a context where the NWT's Francophone community is facing a slight decline. According to Statistics Canada, the NWT had approximately 3,700 Francophones in 2021, or 8.6% of the territorial population. In comparison, in 2016, there were approximately 3,950 Francophones, representing 9.1% of the population. This decrease highlights the persistent challenges facing the Northern Francophonie and the importance of strengthening French-language training initiatives.  

This trend can also be observed at the national level. In 2021, the proportion of people in Canada (outside of Quebec) with French as their first official language was 3.3%, compared with 3.8% in 2016. This decline underscores the importance of increased support for Francophone institutions in minority contexts, to ensure the vitality and transmission of the language.  

A visit focused on challenges and successes 

During his visit, the MP was able to meet members of the Collège's team, members of the student community, as well as see the Collège’s new offices. Several topics were discussed, including: 

• The need for flexibility in funding for postsecondary institutions in minority settings.
• The importance of French-language learning programs for newcomers to the vitality of the language.
• The role of Collège Nordique as a key player in French-language education and training in the NWT.

A highlight of the visit was the discussions that took place in an English for newcomers' class, accompanied by their teacher Tamlin Gilbert. Joël Godin took the time to talk with the students and better understand their learning journey. 

An open and constructive dialogue 

Aware of the challenges faced by Francophones in minority communities, Joël Godin was keen to highlight their ability to accomplish a great deal with limited resources. He expressed his admiration for this resilience and commitment, emphasizing the importance of highlighting these efforts and offering them adequate support. 

The Collège Nordique would like to thank Joël Godin for his visit and his listening ear. This meeting reminds us of the importance of valuing local initiatives and supporting an inclusive educational environment adapted to Northern realities.