Language policy
By way of the Politique gouvernementale relative à l’emploi et à la qualité de la langue française dans l’Administration (government policy regarding the use and quality of French in the civil service – French only) the State is able to play an exemplary and leading role in the application of the Charter of the French Language. RAMQ’s own language policy is derived from the government language policy and is tailored to its specific mission.
Objectives
The main objectives of the language policy are to:
- foster the quality of French in Québec
- promote French as the official language of Québec and its language of everyday life
- standardize the use of French in government departments and agencies
Given that RAMQ offers services to a broad spectrum of Quebeckers, we pay special attention to certain clienteles:
- First nations and Inuit, descendants of the first habitants of the country, who are entitled to maintain and develop their language and culture
- Immigrants whose maternal language is a language other than French
Citizens: French first
When persons call us or come to our offices, we first respond in French. If someone requests it, we can then pursue the conversation in English. Our documents are always in French, but translations are available on request.
Health professionals: French exclusively
Québec health professionals such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists must have sufficient knowledge of French in order to work here. Our dealings with them, whether verbally or in writing, take place exclusively in French.
Health professionals outside Québec may request and receive communications in English.
Website
Our website is designed to provide citizens and health professionals with quick access to the information they need regarding our services and programs. We use language that is simple and precise and follow up-to-date web writing guidelines to make the information easy to find and understand.
The entire contents of our website are in French, including the section for health professionals. The contents directed at citizens may be translated, but they are displayed separately in their own sections. The English sections of our website do not contain all of the information available in French, unless prior authorization is obtained to this end.