The French Language Services Act was adopted in 2004, amended in 2011 and again in the fall of 2024. The latest changes recognize, among other things, the contribution of Acadian and Francophone communities, strengthen the role of the minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, confirm an advisory committee to the Minister, require regular review and stipulate that all regulations adopted under the Act be written and published in French and English.

The French Language Services Regulations were adopted in 2006. They present the list of departments, offices and agencies (collectively called designated public institutions) to which the French Language Services Act and its regulations apply. Annually, each designated public institution must develop and publish a French Language services plan for the coming fiscal year and report on the progress made in the fiscal year coming to an end.

The development and delivery of French Language services are the responsibility of designated public institutions. A federal-provincial agreement also supports the development and delivery of government services by the Government of Nova Scotia.

The French Language Services Act officially establishes the French Language Services Co‑ordinating Committee, which is made up of French Language services co-ordinators of designated departments and offices. The Executive Director of the Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie chairs the French Language Services Co‑ordinating Committee.

The Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie was created by the French Language Services Act (2004), which defined its mission. In 2011, the Office became a division of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, now the department responsible for the Act. In 2016, an Order in Council assigned general management and supervision of the French‑Language Services Act to the Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie and named the division the Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. The 2024 update of the French Language Services Act confirms, in the very text of the Act, the general supervision and management of the Act to the Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

In November 2022, the province released an action plan to guide the growth of the province’s French-speaking population. The plan, entitled “Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population — An Action plan for Success (2022‑2025), adds to efforts to attract Francophones from other countries and provinces.

In October 2023, the province announced the new Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) Act, to support French‑first‑language public education programs. This is the first law targeting education in French as a first language in Nova Scotia and in Canada. It repeals the previous act on the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (the Education (CSAP) Act) and is complementary to the Education Act (2018).

In August 2024, the province celebrated its first Acadian Heritage Month. It will be celebrated annually in Nova Scotia.