French Language Services Act (Prince Edward Island)
| French Language Services Act Loi sur les services en français | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island | |
| Citation |
|
| Legislative history | |
| Bill citation | Bill 43 |
| Introduced by | Robert Ghiz MLA, Premier |
| First reading | 2013-04-18 |
| Second reading | 2013-05-01 |
| Third reading | 2013-05-08 |
| Status: In force (amended) | |
The French Language Services Act (French: Loi sur les services en français) (the Act) is a law in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada which is intended to protect the rights of Acadians and French-speaking people in the province.
History
[edit]In 1999, Prince Edward Island passed its first French Language Services Act, and in 2000 it was proclaimed.[1][2]
Provisions
[edit]The legislation requires that provincial ministers must be able to respond to emails in French.[3][4]
At the time the Act entered into force, 20 departments and agencies were required to provide services in French.[4] By 2023, this had changed to 19 departments and agencies due to reorganisation, but this was increased to 31 departments and agencies.[5] The expansion included services relating to healthcare, as transportation and infrastructure.[6]
Criticisms
[edit]The Act has been criticised for not providing for enough French language services by Jean-Paul Arsenault, a former complaints officer.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "1999: Prince Edward Island passes its first French Language Services Act". Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ Ross, Ryan (2013-04-17). "P.E.I government introduces French language law". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ "French Language Services Act applauded on P.E.I." CBC News. 2013-12-15. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ a b Campbell, Kerry (2018-11-09). "P.E.I. cabinet minister under fire for email response: 'I don't speak French'". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2018-11-10. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
- ^ Melitides, George (2023-11-16). "P.E.I. government to offer more designated services in French". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ "Online French services in P.E.I. double with 21 new additions". PNI Atlantic News. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ Jenkins, Alison (2019-01-15). "Former complaints officer says P.E.I. still not offering enough French-language services". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.