Our two official languages are at the heart of Canadian identity. They make us unique, unite us and enrich our culture from coast to coast to coast. Promoting and protecting them starts with education. Investing in minority-language education and second official-language instruction is essential for the Fransaskois community, as it strengthens linguistic and cultural vitality, fosters bilingualism, and ensures the long-term sustainability of French in Saskatchewan.
Today, the Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety, announced the signing of the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on minority‑language education and second official‑language instruction 2024-2025 to 2027-2028. This bilateral agreement stems from the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024-2025 to 2027-2028 announced on February 17.
Under the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement, an investment of more than $43 million is being provided to the Fransaskois community. This funding will help the province offer quality education in French as a minority language and French as a second language, from preschool to the post-secondary level. The Government of Saskatchewan will invest an equivalent amount of $43 million to support the objectives of the Agreement.
Bilateral agreements on minority‑language education and second official‑language instruction with the Government of Saskatchewan have been in place for more than 50 years. They support the province in implementing activities aimed at teaching French in a minority context and learning the second official language.
