Français (pdf)
The Department of Finance French-language Services Plan is prepared pursuant to chapter 26 of the Acts of 2004, the French-language Services Act and Regulations.
Responding to the PublicThe Department of Finance makes reasonable efforts to communicate in French, either verbally or in writing, when requested to do so, on a “best effort” basis. The Department currently has no employee positions designated as requiring proficiency in French. Verbal requests can be transferred to French-speaking staff, if available, and written correspondence can either be dealt with in French by bilingual department staff or translation services can be procured. Various Nova Scotia tax services are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, and all those services are available directly from the source in either official language.
French Language Services Offered
The Department of Finance is located in Halifax and does not have regional offices. Written French-language communication and translation services are provided in the Halifax office by bilingual departmental staff, when available and on a “best effort” basis.
Nova Scotia’s personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, and harmonized sales taxes are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). All associated forms and correspondence are available through CRA in either French or English.
Although Nova Scotia provides its own statistical reports and publications, this data is provided to Statistics Canada for use in Federal / Provincial and Territorial statistical publications. All publications and reports prepared by Statistics Canada are available in either French or English.
Contributing to the preservation or growth of the Acadian and francophone community
The Department of Finance, French-language Services Plan will endeavour to supply information held and delivered by the department, and needed by the Acadian and francophone community in French, if requested to fill a specific requirement and provided that sufficient time is allowed to procure French-language translation services. The plan will look to link up the information and services provided with the needs of the community, helping the community to continue and thrive as part of the societal fabric of Nova Scotia.
Goals, Objectives and Measures for 2008-2009Identified below are government’s objectives with regards to French-language services and the Department of Finance’s associated goals and planned actions/activities in those areas for 2008-2009.
Corporate Objective 1 Strengthen the policy, regulatory, and administrative framework in support of the French-language Services Act:
- Fulfills the department’s obligations as determined by the French-language Services Act.
- Prepare and report upon the department’s French-language services plan.
- Support the work of the Office of Acadian Affairs and the implementation of the French-language Services Act by ensuring representation of Department of Finance on the French-language Services Coordinating Committee.
- Improve upon the department’s capacity to deliver French-language Services.
- Develop a plan to ensure French-language services meet the objective of the department and the community.
Corporate Objective 2 Consulting with the Acadian and francophone community:
- Prioritize services to be delivered in French
- Review primary services provided by the various divisions of the department and develop a list of services which could be delivered in French to meet the obligations of the Act and the needs of the community.
Corporate Objective 3 Communicating, sharing information, and promoting services available in French.
- Work towards ensuring that public information provided by the department of Finance and needed by the francophone community is available in French.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for communicating with the public.
- Prioritize, translate and make available information material in French when requested.
- Work with Webmaster to develop a French-language section on the departmental website.
Corporate Objective 4Supporting French-language services development, planning and delivery in priority areas.
- Work with Acadian Affairs to determine priority areas for French-language services and develop plans to help meet those objectives as they may pertain to the department of Finance.
- Identify corporate priorities and help to ensure priorities are met as they may pertain to the department of Finance.