Let health and social service providers know that French is your preferred language

Santé en français presents 10 new videos inspired by everyday situations: booking an appointment, calling a service provider, checking in at reception and speaking with a professional.

The videos show different ways to express a preference for French and request services en français. They also help explain active offer and highlight resources that make French-language services easier to access in Manitoba, including interpretation services and the Guide de navigation du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux du Manitoba.

For Francophones, receiving services in French contributes to a better understanding of information, builds trust, and supports safe, high-quality services. Being able to express oneself in the language one feels most comfortable using makes it easier to describe needs and concerns, ask questions, and take an active part in conversations related to health and well-being.

Active offer means making French-language service options clearly visible or offering them directly, for example through a bilingual greeting or by asking about a person’s preferred language. In turn, requesting services in French allows Francophones to indicate that French is their preferred language and helps provide a fuller picture of the community’s needs.

Watch the 10 videos and explore resources that can help you access health and social services in French in Manitoba, while supporting the Francophone community’s ability to fully experience health and well-being in French.

Santé en français warmly thanks the Centre de santé Saint-Boniface for generously opening its doors for the filming of the videos. We also thank the Government of Manitoba for its collaboration and support for this initiative.

The initiatives of Santé en français, in collaboration with Société Santé en français, are funded by Health Canada as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Health Canada.

Watch the videos below with full English subtitles.
The videos are also available with full French subtitles.

Resources to help you access services in French

Did you know? Since its founding in 2004, Santé en français has played a key role in improving access to quality health and social services for Manitoba’s francophone community. From its beginnings as an advisory committee to its transformation into a community organization, Santé en français demonstrates the power of collaboration “by and for the community.”

Resources and tools are available to help you access health and social services in French. For example: