Legislation/Framework

French-language Services Act

The French-language Services Act amended the Public Service Act on December 9, 2004 to formally establish the Office of Acadian Affairs. The Act also confirmed the provincial government’s commitment toward offering services in French. The Act recognizes the valuable contributions and the significant role of the Acadian and francophone community in Nova Scotia.

In 2011, the Act was amended to reflect the administrative changes surrounding the creation of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

The purpose of the French-language Services Act is to:

1. contribute to the preservation and growth of the Acadian and francophone community; and,
2. provide for the delivery of French-language services by designated departments, offices, agencies of Government, and Crown corporations to the Acadian and francophone community.

French-language Services Regulations

With input from consultations with the Acadian and francophone community and the French-language Services Coordinating Committee, the Office of Acadian Affairs developed the French-language Services Regulations which were adopted in 2006. The Regulations clarify the responsibilities of all designated departments, offices and agencies in regard the Act and to the provincial government’s corporate commitment to offer services in French.

Designated public institutions, as named in Schedule A of the French-language Services Regulations are are the government departments, offices, agencies, and Crown corporations required to provide services in French.

Nova Scotia Strategic Plan for French-language Services

The Nova Scotia Strategic Plan is developed by the French-language Services Coordinating Committee under the leadership of the Office of Acadian Affairs. The plan supports negotiations between the Government of Canada (as represented by the Minister of Canadian Heritage) and the Government of Nova Scotia (as represented by the Minister of Acadian Affairs) for the Canada–Nova Scotia Agreement on French-language Services.

The Nova Scotia Strategic Plan on French-language Services 2009–2013 outlines three specific objectives to guide the Government of Nova Scotia in the development, delivery, and expansion of French-language government services:

1. Strengthen the policy, regulatory, and administrative framework in support of the French-language Services Act.
2. Consult, plan, develop, and deliver French-language services in priority areas.
3. Support the Acadian and francophone community in its long-term development and sustainability.

These objectives guide the preparation of the annual French-language Services Plans by each designated public institution and the government’s annual Progress Report on French-language Services.