halifax.ca/fr is an online guide for French language speakers to navigate the municipal website,aimed at improving access to information about key municipal services.
Users can send feedback to french_francais@halifax.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the French translated website?
halifax.ca/fr is an online guide for French language speakers to navigate the municipal website (halifax.ca), aimed at improving access to information about key municipal services. The halifax.ca/fr online guide includes the French translation of some of the most popular and relevant information currently available on the municipal website (halifax.ca). Those visiting halifax.ca/fr will be provided direct access to related English content that is hosted on halifax.ca. As feedback from users is received and usage is monitored, the municipality will determine the potential need for translating additional French content for the halifax.ca/fr microsite. - Why was French selected as the language for a translated website?
The development of a French translated online guide reflects the ongoing commitment of the municipality to improve lines of communication between the francophone community and municipal government. This microsite initiative by the municipality builds upon the efforts of a joint committee, established in 2013, that includes municipal staff, representatives from the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP), as well as students and parents of the CSAP.
In addition to French being one of Canada’s two official languages, the municipality has the largest Acadian and francophone community in Nova Scotia – with 10,115 residents whose mother tongue is French, representing 2.5% of the municipal population. The municipality is also the largest bilingual population in the province, with 49,580 self-identified bilingual individuals in the 2016 Census.
The creation of a French microsite was completed with a total budget of approximately $100,000, and was funded in part by the Government of Canada. - Why wasn’t the entire municipal website translated into French?
An assessment of the resources required to develop a French language version of the entire municipal website indicated that the staffing and financial implications made this option unavailable to the municipality at this time. - Will more pages be translated in French?
In the short term, there are no plans to translate additional pages in French. As feedback from users is received and usage is monitored, the municipality will determine the need for translating additional pages.
- Will microsites be created for other languages?
The potential development of additional translated online guides in other languages is yet to be determined. Considerations that would influence the creation of any additional websites include budget, staff resources and feedback from users.