GOVERNMENT RECEIVES THE FIRST REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS

Provincial Secretary and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs June Draude received the first report of the Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs at their quarterly meeting today. The report presents recommendations based on surveys and consultation with government ministries, Crown corporations and agencies, as well as Francophone stakeholders conducted by the committee in May and June 2009.

"I want to thank the committee for doing such extensive research and providing government with relevant recommendations," Draude said. "Their work and expertise will help us identify the best ways to enable the growth of our Francophone communities and the growth of our province."

The report contains six recommendations to raise awareness of both the general public and the public service about the Government of Saskatchewan's French-language Services Policy, and to support and retain Francophone youth within the province.

"The committee's findings show that we are on the right track with initiatives we are working on to further the implementation of the French-languages Services Policy and better support French speakers in Saskatchewan," Draude said. "The government's "Bonjour!" campaign and the French-language Services Centre that will be launched in the coming months will do much to address some of these recommendations."

The committee was appointed last January to advise the Provincial Secretary through the review and analysis of French-language programs and policies and to guide the implementation of Saskatchewan's French-language Services Policy. Providing services in French allows the government to meet the needs of the people of Saskatchewan while attracting French newcomers to our province.

The committee's report, Saskatchewan's French-language Services Policy and details of the "Bonjour!" campaign are available in English and French at www.ops.gov.sk.ca.

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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
Cell: 306-527-8412