We’re excited to share some of the programs and initiatives that were provided in French to residents in 2022-2023. Reading through the list below highlights that substantial progress continues to be made each year!

So, what did we do?

• In 2022-2023, Services TNO processed a total of 1,260 requests. This represents a 59% increase from 2021-2022.
   
• In 2022-2023, a total of 2,740,768 words were translated for Government of the Northwest Territories communications in French to the public (Government of the Northwest Territories Translation Services + Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission + Legal Translation)
   
• The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the bilingual certification portal for JK-12 educators, CertifiED NWT, where educators can apply for their certification in French and in English.
   
• The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Office of Client Experience was launched as a single point of system feedback; information is available in French and staff were trained on active offer and language requirements.
   
• Direct service in French is available at the front desk of the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre and the Frame Lake Community Health Clinic.
   
• In November 2022, the Yellowknife Airport launched a new bilingual parking ticket system.
   
• In early 2023, the Department of Justice launched the Child Support Recalculation Service to help parents with child support orders or agreements meet their legal obligations to update child support amounts to pay based on their income. This free service is intended to reduce time, expenses and stress that can result from Court processes when the amount of child support needs to be changed due to a variation in income.
   
• The Legislative Assembly provided guided and self-guided audio French tours.
   
• The NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation ran two ad campaigns and one promotional campaign (a contest) during Small Business Week to promote the Canada Digital Adoption Program – the campaigns were in French and English.
   
• All new NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation website content was done in French and English, including a redesign of its home page and the introduction of two new sections for public engagement and the Digital Support Program. Additionally, the NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation posted over 250 tweets in French.
   
• All of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s promotional campaigns were done in French and English. Among the notable ones are the Curriculum Renewal campaign, the New Graduation Requirements, the Northern Studies 30 Pilot Course and Treaty Simulations, the Supporting Seniors to Age in Place, and the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.
   
• The Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s Labour, Development and Standards division published 54 fact sheets – one for each of the designated trades in the NWT.
   
• In 2022-2023, the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs ran various bilingual advertising or promotional campaigns: Tłıchǫ Day, Campaign School for Women, ̨ Red Dress Day, Orange Shirt Day, Indigenous People Day and National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.
   
• To improve user experience, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources made significant updates to its website – for example, the department introduced new pages on the Waste Recycling front to highlight a new funding program aiming to promote sustainable practices.
   
• The Department of Finance published various documents in French, such as the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission Product Survey Discussion Guide.
   
• The Department of Health and Social Services and Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority ran a few advertising and promotional campaigns, notably for Naloxone Awareness, Mental Wellness and Addictions Recovery Supports, NWT Help Line, Office of the Client Experience, etc.
   
• A television displaying Fort Smith Health Center information was added in the main reception waiting area of the facility. The contents are all bilingual.
   
• The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Skip the Line at the Yellowknife Driver and Vehicle Office, and the Greenhouse Gas Grant Program are examples of advertising and promotional campaigns that were done in French by the Department of Infrastructure.
   
• The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment produced printed and radio campaigns for the Business Development Series and for the Lottery for Extended Stay Campsites.
   
• The Department of Lands ran advertising and promotional campaigns in French regarding Board Appointments and Unauthorized Occupancy.
   
• The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs completed the second year of the public emergency preparedness campaign ‘Be Ready’, and all resources were available in French. The campaign encompasses various topics, such as ‘Be Ready: Make an emergency plan and kit’, ‘Be Ready: For floods’, and ‘Be Ready: For severe storms’.
   
• During spring flooding in 2022, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs provided daily flood updates posted in French on social media.
   
• The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission launched a recruitment campaign for a new CEO, with ads running in French.