Minister to Table French-language Services Progress Report

Translation and on-line access of information in French has grown by leaps and bounds says the French-language Services Progress Report tabled by Acadian Affairs Minister Chris d'Entremont today, Nov. 20, in the House of Assembly.

The bilingual Progress Report 2008 describes work performed by designated public institutions to provide French-language services to the Acadian and francophone community in Nova Scotia, during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

"This report means that the needs of Acadians and francophones are being heard and that there has been an effort to find effective ways to meet those needs," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Acadians and francophones are increasingly able to mark life events in their maternal language."

Information for the report was gathered by the French-language Services Co-ordinating Committee and key contacts representing 39 designated public institutions. Acadian Affairs compiled and summarized the information.

The report measures achievements in seven sections:

• Communicating and promoting French-language services
• Human resources
• Policy, regulatory, and administrative framework
• Consulting with the Acadian and francophone community
• Development and delivery of French-language services
• Preservation and growth of the Acadian and francophone community
• Other activities

"The 2007 advertising campaign launch of the French-language services visibility program, Bonjour!, has created a ripple effect across government," said Mr. d'Entremont. "We have witnessed an explosion in translation and accessing on-line information in French."

As well as the information in the report, some designated public institutions have initiatives that are not noted and others have initiatives not yet ready to be announced.

Designated public institutions are those listed in the French-language Services Act regulations that have an obligation to provide services in French. Designated public institutions are mandated to submit annual French-language service plans. A progress report will be tabled each year to highlight progress.

French and English copies of Progress Report 2008 are available on-line at www.gov.ns.ca/acadian .