Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So now I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on services to northern Francophones, which I will ask in French again because that was so much fun. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on the subject of services for Francophone individuals in the Northwest Territories. Service standards have been updated with respect to services provided in French, and it's happened in August 2024. What government institutions provide services in French? Thank you.
[Translation Ends].
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Communication standards and government services apply to communications and services provided by the government's departments. It also includes the office of the Legislative Assembly, as well as all agencies, offices, commissions, or designated organizations as set out in the regulation on government services as well as as set out in the Official Languages Act which contains criteria. This also involves central offices.
[Translation Ends].
[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the response. Are these services actively provided, or does a request need to be made? How can residents know whether these services are currently available in French? Is it always clearly indicated?
[Translation Ends].
[Translation] Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The services that are provided are subject to a (audio). There is a process that informs the public that they can communicate in English or French when they access government services in the NWT. The goal is to make sure that individuals feel free to express themselves in the language of their choice. But, Mr. Speaker, the person could also ask for services in French if there is any kind of uncertainty.
[Translation Ends]
Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If a government employee is bilingual, can this employee be asked to respond to a request for French services, and can a request be made to translate documents into French? Thank you, Speaker.
[Translation Ends].
[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The response that I'll give, which will be short -- I don't usually give short responses. But the answer is no. This government document to be provided to the public must be translated by the French service -- translation service. By going through this service, we ensure that the terminology used is accurate and consistent, and the draft versions are corrected before publication. Those who hold a position where bilingualism is mandatory and who receive the bilingualism bonus are encouraged to serve the public and correspond with the public in the language of their choice.
[Translation Ends].
Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
