Yellowknife’s Collège Nordique Francophone officials were surprised by a significant reduction in federal funding in September. The college, which previously received $2.8 million from the Department of Canadian Heritage, now faces a drastic cut to about a third of that amount.
The unexpected decrease in funding, down to approximately $348,000 for its action plan implementation and around $1 million in annual project funding for the next three years, is due to a bilateral agreement signed between Ottawa and the territorial government earlier this year.
Executive director Patrick Arsenault expressed disappointment at the sharp decrease in funding, which has forced the college to make tough decisions, including leaving positions vacant and letting go of seven staff members out of a total of about 20 employees. The impact of these cuts on the college’s operations and growth prospects has been significant.
While the Department of Canadian Heritage mentioned that the college can still apply for project-based funding, Arsenault emphasized the importance of having the flexibility to address the broader needs of the minority-language community. College board president Aleksandar Kovacevic acknowledged the challenges posed by the funding cuts but remained committed to supporting and promoting the French language in the North.
The reduction in funding has prompted a reevaluation of priorities and strategies at Collège Nordique Francophone, with a renewed focus on serving the francophone community and ensuring the college’s sustainability in the face of financial challenges.
