AFY promotes francophone immigration to Yukon
Immigration a way to 'maintain our weight,' says francophone association
Yukon's francophone association is trying to make the territory more welcoming to French-speaking immigrants.
The Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) said it's about drawing newcomers North, as well as protecting language rights in Yukon.
"The [Yukon] francophone community is already about 15 per cent immigrants, so it is a huge part of our community," said Frédéric Nolet, who works in economic development with AFY.
"It is important to have that core number, to help with our development."
Nolet also said the demographics of Yukon's francophone immigrants are changing.
"A lot of francophone immigration is mostly European descent — a lot of people from France, Belgium, Switzerland," he said. "But we saw people in our offices recently from Africa — Morocco, Chad, Madagascar."
"We even we had someone from China asking for services in French, which is great."
Nolet says immigration is good for francophone Yukoners, as it prevents the minority group from shrinking as a percentage of the population.
"It's just a question of maintaining our weight," Nolet said.
Lhoussain Nouaman is a new Canadian who originally lived in Montreal, but moved to Yukon two months ago.
"Really, it's a question of adventure," Nouaman said. "I like nature, lakes, mountains."
"The main challenge is [to] find a job, and keep a job," he admitted. He also said housing is tough to find, and that "winter is a big challenge for me."
Still, he thinks more francophone immigrants should consider the North. He thinks they might, if they were aware of the territory's francophone services.
"Perhaps [there could be] more publicity on internet and TV, to inform immigrants to come here, because not everyone knows if there is work" Nouaman said.
"I remember when I left in Montreal I didn't have any idea about Yukon."