FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT FROM INNOVATIVE FRENCH-LANGUAGE SERVICE CENTRE

The Government of Saskatchewan is developing a single window service centre to improve access to government services in French.

"Investment in the Francophone community is an investment in the future of our province," Provincial Secretary and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs Wayne Elhard said. "Enhancing French-language services will not only benefit our French-speaking citizens here at home, but will extend a warm welcome to other French speakers from Canada and across the world."

The centre will act as a "single window" for people to access government services and programs in French. It will operate via the internet and other interactive media to ensure the same level of service in both urban and rural communities.

"The centre will use technology to ensure that citizens accessing government policies and programs in French will consistently receive quality service in their language, regardless of the ministry or program, no matter where they live," Elhard said.

The project will be funded by the Office of the Provincial Secretary and the Government of Canada through the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on French-language Services and is expected to cost $250,000 for development and implementation. The centre is expected to be operational in fall of 2009.

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For more information, contact:

Nicole Fellinger
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1370
Email: nicole.fellinger@gov.sk.ca