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New French college to open May Lyndsay Herman Northern News Services Published Friday, March 9, 2012
The new college, the only French language post-secondary school in Yellowknife, will provide many of the same courses as its predecessor, College des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, said college president Jean-Marie Mariez. He said, "The college will be providing quality secondary and post-secondary education and continuing education courses." Talks with federal bodies such as Joint Task Force North are being held to explore the possibility of making College Nordique the location for required language classes for federal employees. Mariez said the college will begin in May with one to two language courses, and will increase the number of courses as more students show interest. A specific date has not been set for classes or registration to begin but Mariez said the college has a funding agreement with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for $80,000 and, after review on June 30, will receive another $120,000 for the remaining school year. Jacqueline McKinnon, the department's manager of public affairs, stated in an e-mail to Yellowknifer that, "We have been working with the college, and a new group/board has been struck. The new group is taking over where the previous group left off, and they are taking over the lease of the building also." The original college was opened in February 2009 by the Federation Franco-Tenoise with a goal to provide French language classes at a post-secondary level. College des Territoires du Nord-Ouest closed unexpectedly at the start of the year. Paul Fleury, president of the now defunct school, said that although the college had received $120,000 from the GNWT last year it had insufficient funds to continue. He said only two students had paid fees for the 2012 winter session before it was cancelled and that they have not yet been refunded their money. They will be refunded once all outstanding debts have been sorted out. "The bank account is still open, we will have enough to balance the books," said Fleury. He said he doubts there will be funds left over once all of the invoices and outstanding wages are paid.
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