Provincial government adds more designated French services

Acadians, Francophones, and French-speaking Islanders now have guaranteed access to even more French language services.

Many more services have become available to Islanders since the French Language Services Act came into effect in 2013 – from in-person services to web content on the Prince Edward Island government’s web site (www.princeedwardisland.ca). This month, the provincial government added three new designated French language services under the act:

• all services offered in person at Access PEI in Wellington;
• coaching support services offered to early childhood educators; and
• participation in the Community Cultural Partnership Program.

The French Language Services Act helps government align its service capacity with the priority sectors of the Acadian and Francophone community. The newly designated services correspond to the community’s identified priorities.

“I am proud of the work that we have accomplished so far and we will continue to work closely with the community to identify more services that best serve them,” said Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

“The Acadian and Francophone community are an integral part of our Island community and identity. Prince Edward Island is the Mighty Island partly because of the rich history, culture, and language that Acadians, Francophones and French-speaking Islanders bring to our close-knit Island community.”

“Being able to offer our services in French to Islanders at our Wellington Access PEI location is of great benefit to the area’s residents,” Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar said. “They can feel at confident knowing that whatever information they need, they can get it in the language of their choice.”

“It’s important that we support our early childhood educators with the right resources,” Education, Early Childhood Learning and Culture Minister Jordan Brown said. “The coaching supports will give our educators the tools they need to provide our young people with high quality education.”

Designated services under the French Language Services Act can be found at https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/executive-council-office/french-language-services-act-overview.

Media contact:
Vicki Tse
vickitse@gov.pe.ca