Policy established by the Manitoba (Canada) provincial government to inform the development and implementation of heritage language programs is outlined. Introductory sections provide background on the history of heritage language instruction, foreign language instruction, and language of instruction in Manitoba public schools. A brief discussion of heritage languages outlines the goals of their instruction and describes three program design options: basic heritage language course; bilingual heritage language programs; and enhanced heritage language courses. Requirements for implementation of each program type are also enumerated, and the responsibilities of the provincial education department, school districts, and ethnocultural communities are specified. Funding is addressed briefly, and policy concerning student eligibility for special credits based on heritage language study is outlined. Text is presented in both English and French. (MSE)