Admin & services
Calling a government office
For Services Québec, RAMQ, Service Canada — a question or to follow up on a file.
Hello, my name is your name.
I'd like to get information about / follow up on your request, e.g.: my health-insurance card application.
If they ask for a file or reference number:
My file number is number.
I'm sorry, I speak French but not perfectly yet. Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
Could you repeat that, please?
Could you spell that word for me?
To confirm what you understood:
So, if I understand correctly, I need to restate the step. Is that right?
Thank you very much for your help. Have a good day!
- 01Have your file number, an ID and something to write with ready before you dial.
- 02Saying upfront that you're learning French usually gets the agent to slow down and speak more clearly — it's normal and welcome.
- 03Write down the agent's name and the time of the call; useful if you have to call back.
