I rise today to talk to you about a very important division within the Public Service Secretariat � the Office of French Services, which exists through the Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on French Language Services.

We are pleased to work with the federal Department of Canadian Heritage in this way to continue to increase government services in French to the province�s francophone community.

This division, while known to some throughout government for French language training, is becoming a vital instrument in enhancing government�s ability to provide services in French through translation, linguistic support and liaison with the community. The role of this office is expanding every year.

Our government now has a policy requiring that all government translations are to be coordinated by the Office of French Services to ensure highest quality. Also, the Office of French Services now has a dedicated translator on site to reduce costs associated with out-sourcing and to ensure that urgent requests are dealt with promptly.

Thanks to this division, our government departments have more web site content available in French to better serve our French speaking citizens.

The office also is proud to boast on-going partnerships with the Canada School of Public Service and the Eastern Health Authority to provide French language training to the employees of those organizations. We are the only province in the country providing specialized French training to healthcare professionals.

As minister responsible for the Public Service Secretariat, I encourage you to visit the Office of French Services and browse their web site to become more familiar with the varied services they can provide government departments. There will also be an opportunity to learn more at their information booth during Public Service Week in June.

In closing I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Provincial Francophone Day on May 30^th. This year, to commemorate this important day, members of the francophone community and children of the French school will gather in the East Block lobby to celebrate the event and then proceed outside to witness the raising of the French-Newfoundland and Labrador flag. Much to our delight, this year members of the national Committee of Officials Responsible for the Canadian Francophonie will be in St. John�s for meetings and will take part in the ceremony to mark this important day.

2006 05 15                      3:35 p.m.