Rent reduced for riders, early budget items approved by Regina Council
1h ago
Regina's city council covered a lot of ground in a three-hour meeting on Wednesday. With all members in attendance, coun...
Saskatchewan’s French-speaking citizens are getting two new health programs aimed at closing the language barrier in health care.
“Providing health services in French better serves our population. This enhances our services, promotes immigration and creates a stronger Saskatchewan,” said Minister Responsible for the Francophone Affairs Branch Laura Ross.
The first program will make interpretation services during medical appointments accessible for roughly 75 patients this year. The Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan will have an operating budget of $45,000 for the new patient accompaniment program in 2024-25.
The second program is a French mental health support phone line offered through TAO Tel-Aide for residents who are in psychological distress or need support. The hotline will receive $42,288 for 2024-25.
“This funding announcement is giving Fransaskois communities access to the health care they need in the official language they want, resulting in better overall care and improved health care outcomes,” said Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Federal Minister Randy Boissonnault.
Nearly 17,000 people in Saskatchewan speak French as their first language, with another 52,000 who use the language.
“This timely funding will allow us to continue and strengthen our empathetic listening and accompaniment services, providing peace of mind to Francophones who wish to express their health needs in their mother tongue,” said Saskatchewan Réseau Santé en Français de la President Abdoulaye Yoh.
These initiatives are funded through the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on French-language Services until 2028.
To access the free French-language mental health telephone support line, call 1-800-567-9699.