Ottawa, May 11, 2021 – Denise Amyot, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), has issued the following statement in support of the National Dialogue on postsecondary education in francophone minority context in Canada, (États généraux sur le postsecondaire en contexte francophone minoritaire au Canada) organized by the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA):
“Education has always been central to securing the rights of Francophones, and for good reason. It is key to ensuring the vitality and sustainability of the French language and of Francophone communities in Canada. Post-secondary education is essential to producing a qualified workforce that meets the needs of our communities, and it is all the more crucial for linguistic minorities. Post-secondary institutions are the driving force behind the social, cultural, and economic development of Francophone communities across the country. Beyond their primary role, they often serve as gathering places where Francophone communities can grow and thrive.”
“Unfortunately, COVID‑19 has exposed the precariousness of many Francophone post-secondary institutions. Although the challenges they face are not entirely new, this past year has been particularly difficult. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation, raising major concerns over the future of post-secondary education for Francophone minorities.”
“The initiative announced by the ACUFC and the FCFA is extremely timely, and we welcome and support it. As the national association representing colleges and institutes across Canada, including all French-language institutions in minority settings, we will be following these discussions very closely and are eager to contribute to the collective deliberations. Not only is the survival of our Francophone communities at stake, but so is the future and vitality of Canada’s linguistic duality.”
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.
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For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Phone: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan