French-language Services Plan 2007–2008
Message from Deputy Minister
On behalf of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, I am pleased to present our French-language Services Plan for 2007-08.
Acadians and other francophones have had tremendous influence in shaping Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage. Preserving and promoting culture and heritage are key parts of our department’s mandate, along with welcoming visitors from around the world. As such, we currently provide many services in French, such as tourism information, signage in our museums, and cultural awards.
We’re pleased to further support French communities in the province through the French-language Services Act. Our plan for 2007-08 includes reviewing our current practices and making improvements to the French-language services we offer.
By strengthening government’s services for Acadians and francophones, we will help maintain and continue to celebrate French culture in Nova Scotia.
Kelliann Dean
Deputy Minister
Responding to requests from the public to communicate in French
All written correspondence in French received by the Department will be replied to in French. A bilingual Provincial logo will be used on all French correspondence prepared by the department. An internal process to facilitate the processing of French correspondence will be finalized in 2007-08. Verbal requests to communicate in French will be accommodated when possible.
French-language services offered by Tourism, Culture and Heritage
The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage offers a wide-range of services available in French. Appendix 1
How the plan will contribute to the preservation or growth of the Acadian and francophone community
The plan prepared by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage recognizes and values the importance of providing French-language services to the Acadian and francophone community in Nova Scotia. The department will provide support and investment to preserve and promote Nova Scotia’s Acadian heritage and culture, and will continue to deliver a wide-range of services to strengthen and promote Nova Scotia’s Acadian tourism industry.
Goals, Objectives and Measures for 2007-08
Strategic Goals include:
- Strengthening the policy, regulatory and administrative framework in support of the French-language Services Act
- Consulting with the Acadian and francophone community
- Communicating, sharing information and promoting services available in French
- Supporting French-language services development, planning and delivery in priority areas
1. Strengthening the policy, regulatory and administrative framework in support of the French-language Services Act
Planned Actions / Activities for 2007-08 include:
- Review internal polices to ensure that they are aligned with the intent of the French-language Services Plan.
- Support the work of the Office of Acadian Affairs and the implementation of the French-language Services Act by ensuring effective representation of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage on the French-language Services Coordinating Committee.
- Continue to hold regular monthly meetings of its internal French-language Services Committee to plan, coordinate and monitor French-language services being delivered by Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
- Finalize written procedures for staff for responding to French-language correspondence by June 1, 2007.
- Develop written procedures for responding to verbal requests to communicate in French by June 1, 2007.
2. Consulting with the Acadian and francophone community
Planned Actions / Activities for 2007-08 include:
- Any province-wide tourism, culture, heritage or archival consultations undertaken by the department will include a component that offers French-language services.
- Continue partnerships with the Acadian community and stakeholders to strengthen the preservation and promotion of Nova Scotia’s tourism, culture, heritage and archival sectors.
3. Communicating, sharing information and promoting services available in French
Planned Actions / Activities for 2007-08 include:
- Develop and implement an internal communications plan for staff to ensure awareness of the French-language Services Act, the department’s 2007-08 French-language Services Plan, and the inventory of services offered by the department in French.
- Develop and implement a communications plan to inform Nova Scotia’s Acadian community about the French-language services offered by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
- Increase public awareness of French-language services offered by the department by implementing the visual identity program "Bonjour".
- Increase the French-language information publically available from the department (online, brochures, reports, etc).
4. Supporting French-language services development, planning and delivery in priority areas
Planned Actions / Activities for 2007-08 include:
- Continue to invest in tourism, culture, heritage and archival projects that support the development, preservation and promotion of Nova Scotia’s Acadian community.
- Continue to provide staff with learning opportunities, tools and resources for French-language skills development, maintenance and growth.
- Continue to work with human resources staff to build French-language requirements into appropriate job postings.
- Ensure that third-party contracts are reviewed to encourage delivery of French-language services where appropriate.