New website highlights programs and services offered in French

French-speaking Islanders now have better and easier access to information about programs and services offered in French thanks to a new provincial government website, said Premier Robert Ghiz, Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs.

“The new Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat website is an important resource now available,” said Premier Ghiz. “The site will help to promote awareness of existing programs and services offered in French but also of future initiatives.”

The Secretariat’s website consolidates information about programs and services offered in French in a central online location. The content is categorized and presented by department. It also includes direct links to the French Language Services Act, information about the Acadian and Francophone community, and feature stories, among others.

According to the 2011 Census, over 12% of the Island population self-identifies as being bilingual. This represents approximately 17,000 Islanders who speak both French and English. The new website is available in both of these languages and can be accessed at www.ipeservicesfrancais.ca.