French Language Services Act Overview

The French Language Services Act of Prince Edward Island is in effect since December 14, 2013.

What are the key aspects of the French Language Services Act?

• The Act is based on the principle of aligning the service priorities of the Acadian and Francophone community with the service capacity of the Government;
• The Act requires some government services to be provided in French;
• The Act establishes a complaints mechanism to ensure its implementation.

What services have to be provided in French according to the French Language Services Act?

• Written correspondence – The Act states that any written correspondence received in French must be responded to, in writing, in French.
• Public consultations – The Act states that when public consultations are conducted through written or electronic means, the public must be provided with an opportunity to participate in the consultations in French and in English, and that when public consultations are conducted through public meetings, the public must be provided with an opportunity to participate in at least one of the public meetings in French and English.
• Designated services – The Act states that designated services must be provided in a person’s choice of French or English, and that they must be provided with comparable quality in French and English. The Act also states that the measures established by the regulations must be taken to make it known to the public that a designated service is provided in a person’s choice of French or English.

What is a designated service under the French Language Services Act?

The Act provides for the designation of services. Services are designated according to the service priorities of the Acadian and Francophone community, which are identified by the Acadian and Francophone Community Advisory Committee, and the service capacity of the Government. When a service is designated:

• The service must be provided in a person’s choice of French or English
• The service must be provided with comparable quality in French and English;
• Measures must be taken to make it known to the public that the service is provided in both languages.

What services are currently designated services?

The list of designated services and the scope of their designation can be found in the General Regulations of the Act. Here are the services that are currently designated:

Education and Early childhood

• Coaching support services for early childhood educators.

• 0nline process to do any of the following:
  • request a referral to a student well-being team;
  • submit compliments or complaints respecting student well-being teams;
  • apply for confirmation of completion of the PEI School Administrator’s Leadership Program or equivalent;
  • apply for a teacher’s license (academic);
  • apply for verification of eligibility as a substitute teacher;
  • apply for regular educational assistant authorization;
  • apply for certification under the Early Learning and Child Care Act.

Heritage and Culture

• Community Cultural Partnership Program.
• The provision of information, in any form, within or in support of permanent and temporary exhibits at the Acadian Museum.
• All services offered in person at the Acadian Museum, including visitor services, interpretation services, research support services, and interpretation and education programs.

Access to Information

• All services offered in person at the Bibliothèque publique d’AbramVillage, the Bibliothèque publique Dr. J.- Edmond-Arsenault (Charlottetown) and the Bibliothèque publique J.-HenriBlanchard (Summerside).

• 0nline process to do any of the following:
  • request an interlibrary loan to a public library;
  • suggest a purchase for a public library;
  • apply for a public library card;
  • register for accessible public library services.
• The Traveller Information Service (511) by phone and online.
• Traffic signs containing written wording, erected or maintained by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (except for signs that were erected before the General Regulations came into force, stop signs and electronic variable message signs).
• All services offered in person at Access PEI in Wellington.
• Process to report a road or traffic problem by email or text (SMS) message.
• Online process to apply for a personalized license plate.
• Online application process for Engage PEI.
• The 211 PEI service by phone.

Health and Wellness

• General orientation services at Summerset Manor.
• Financial assessment services for the purpose of the Long-Term Care Subsidization Program.
• Reception services at Summerset Manor.
• Long-term care dental care at Summerset Manor.
• Telehealth Information Service (811) by phone.
• Online process to do any of the following:
  • apply for the nursing student summer employment program;
  • register as an organ or tissue donor;
  • register to obtain a family doctor or nurse practitioner;
  • submit compliments or complaints to Health PEI;
  • request a cervical screening appointment;
  • request a colorectal home screening kit;
  • request the correction of personal health information;
  • apply for a health card;
  • renew a health card;
  • apply for the generic drug program;
  • apply for subsidized bus tickets for out-of-province travel for medical services;
  • apply to volunteer in long term care.

Where can I find more information of the French Language Services Act?

You can contact the Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat at:

Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE  C1A 7N8
902-854-7446
bonjour@gov.pe.ca