French Language Services Program
This program provides contributions to support structuring initiatives intended to promote and protect the French language and vitality of the Francophone community of Nunavut.
The maximum amount that can be awarded is $50,000.
1. Purpose
This program provides contributions to individuals, non-profit organizations and municipal corporations to support structuring initiatives that provide a direct service or benefit to the French language community of Nunavut. Such structuring initiatives are intended to promote and protect the French language and the vitality of the Francophone community in Nunavut, consistent with the obligations of Nunavut and of Canada, and as mutually agreed under the Canada-Nunavut Agreement on French Language Services and the Inuktut Language.
2. Eligibility
Eligibility is restricted to individuals, non-profit organizations and municipal corporations.
3. Review
A Working Group reviews the funding proposals and makes recommendations to the Director of Official Languages. The Manager of Francophone Affairs, or a designate, chairs the Working Group, which is comprised of up to four additional French-speaking members.
The Working Group meets once per year to review funding proposals. In cases where timelines require a proposed project to be assessed quickly and the Working Group has already met, the Manager of French Services may recommend to the Director of Official Language to approve or reject the funding proposal subject to the evaluation criteria and available funding.
4. Supporting Data
A completed funding proposal is submitted to the department, which includes a description of the project, an outline of the project objectives, the proposed budget (including revenues and expenditures) and a timeline for completion of the project.
5. Accountability
In addition to the reporting and audit requirements outlined in the policy, recipients are also required to submit an achievement report outlining the benefits achieved, compared to the expectations indicated in the proposal.
6. Amount
The maximum amount of a contribution is $50,000, subject to available funding. The government’s liability is limited to the amount of funding authorized. In addition, the government will not be responsible for any budget shortfalls or deficits. The Working Group may make a recommendation to the Director of Official Languages for an exception to the above maximum on a case-by-case basis, subject to necessary approvals, where it is satisfied that a project is likely to provide exceptional strategic benefits.
7. Payment
Payments will be made in two installments, as outlined in the terms of the Conditional Contribution Agreement.
8. Term
Contributions are once per fiscal year only, with an annual reporting period from April 1 to March 31 of each fiscal year.
9. Funding Guidelines
Funding guidelines listing eligible expenses and proposal rating evaluation criteria can be obtained by accessing the Department of Culture and Heritage website, or by contacting the department directly.