Strengthening access to French-language health care in the Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, access to health care in French remains a real challenge for many Francophone individuals. In a context shaped by workforce shortages, linguistic diversity and realities specific to the North, Collège Nordique is implementing concrete solutions to support French-language health services by focusing on training, mentorship and intersectoral collaboration.

A structuring project for French-language health services

The Rendez-vous nordiques project is part of a long-term vision aimed at strengthening the capacity of health and social services to offer services in French in the Northwest Territories.

Led by Collège Nordique, the project brings together several complementary approaches: targeted training, a linguistic mentorship program, hands-on workshops and the development of specialized tools, all adapted to the professional and territorial realities of the North.

The objective is clear: to equip people working in the health and social services sectors so they can foster more fluid, more human and more reassuring interactions with Francophone individuals, while taking into account the operational realities specific to these fields.

Learning in real-life contexts: linguistic mentorship

At the heart of the project, the linguistic mentorship program allows employees in the health and social services sectors to practise French in a concrete, supported environment tailored to their professional needs.

Rather than focusing on clinical skills or professional practices, the mentorship emphasizes the development of French-language skills directly linked to workplace communication situations.

The program is currently underway, and a new edition is planned for the spring to continue strengthening linguistic capacity in these key sectors.

Café de Paris: a flexible and accessible space for language practice

In addition to the mentorship program, Collège Nordique offers an adapted version of its Café de Paris initiative, specifically designed for people working in health and social services. A new session of the Café de Paris workshops will be launched and will take place from February 11 to March 11, 2026. This series of French-language conversation sessions will include five meetings, as in the previous edition. The format is intentionally flexible: participants can join the conversations according to their availability, even on an occasional basis.

The goal is to create a safe and welcoming space to practise French, build linguistic confidence and encourage authentic exchanges among colleagues from different areas of health and social services.

Beyond language: a lever for equity and quality of services

Access to health and social services in one’s own language goes far beyond simple communication. It is an issue of equity, understanding and service quality. Being able to explain a situation, understand sensitive information or express a need in one’s own language can transform the experience of Francophone individuals.

By supporting the development of linguistic skills among practitioners, the Rendez-vous nordiques project helps reduce certain systemic barriers and strengthens access to more inclusive and safer services for the Francophone community of the Northwest Territories.

A collective and evolving approach

Collège Nordique views the Rendez-vous nordiques project as a collective approach, grounded in on-the-ground realities and designed to evolve alongside the needs of the health and social services sectors.

Strengthening the mentor network and developing specialized resources are already underway. These actions aim to sustainably support the development of French-language skills and to consolidate the capacity of organizations to offer more accessible and inclusive services.

By focusing on concrete solutions adapted to the Northern context, Collège Nordique reaffirms its role as a key actor in the development of French-language health and social services in the Northwest Territories, in service of individuals, organizations and the community.

Published on January 20th 2026