Islanders with an interest in the delivery of French language government services are invited to learn about the new French Language Services Act at upcoming public meetings, says Premier Robert Ghiz, Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs.

“Since the proclamation of the French Language Services Act, the provincial government has taken steps to improve services available in French,” said the Premier. “Through these sessions we are offering the community information on the French Language Services Act and we are seeking information from the public about the services they would like to see offered in French.”

Meetings are planned for each of the province’s Acadian and Francophone regions. These sessions are being organized by the Acadian and Francophone Community Advisory Committee which advises the Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs on:

• the service priorities of the Acadian and Francophone community;

• the designation of bilingual services;

• the provision of designated bilingual services;

• any other matter concerning the Acadian and Francophone community.

“Government departments and agencies have been asked to identify areas where services can and should be offered in both English and French,” said Colleen Soltermann, chair of the Acadian and Francophone Community Advisory Committee. “We’d like to see our entire community engaged in this process.”

Meetings are scheduled for:

April 16 – Charlottetown, Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean – 6 p.m.

April 23 – West Prince, Centre acadien de Prince-Ouest – 6 p.m.

April 29 – Rustico, Centre acadien Grand-Rustico – 6 p.m.

May 1 – Eastern Kings, École La-Belle-Cloche – 6 p.m.

May 6 – Évangéline, Centre scolaire-communautaire Évangéline – 6 p.m.

May 7 – Summerside/Miscouche, Centre Belle-Alliance - 6 p.m.

For more information, please visit the Acadian and Francophone Affairs website www.ipeservicesfrancais.ca.