News release

French-language Services Progress Report

Acadian Affairs (to Oct. 2016)

Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians have more government services and information available in French.

A progress report released today, Oct. 22, by Acadian Affairs Minister Graham Steele also shows the number of provincial government employees able to provide services in French is on the rise.

The bilingual Progress Report 2010 on French-language services outlines the achievements of designated public institutions in developing programs and services for Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone population during the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The report also contains results and recommendations from a review of French-language services by the Office of Acadian Affairs. The review, this summmer, measured the effectiveness of the French-language Services Regulations.

"I am pleased to report that there have been substantial and measurable improvements in government's ability to provide French-language services," said Mr. Steele. "From employee orientations to public consultations, government departments are integrating French-language services into their planning and delivery processes."

Among the report's findings is a significant increase in the number of government employees who identify as having an intermediate or advanced level of French, climbing from 6.7 per cent in 2003 to 12.7 per cent last year. The report also notes a substantial rise in the amount of documents available in French over this period.

"Thanks to the dedication and hard work of public servants, there are more services and information available to Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians in their mother tongue," said Mr. Steele. "Government remains committed to providing high quality services in French to make life better for families in Acadian and francophone regions."

Designated public institutions are those departments, offices and agencies listed in the French-language Services Act regulations that have an obligation to provide services in French.

The report is available in French and English on the Acadian Affairs website at www.gov.ns.ca/acadian .