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More than thirty years ago, the Government of Ontario recognized the need to provide French-language services to the province's Francophone community.
The right to French-language services contained in the French Language Services Act came into effect on November 19, 1989. It gives all citizens who request French-language services the right to be served in French:
Today, about 85% of Ontario's Francophone population has access to these services.
The following list outlines, in chronological order, the main stages in the development of the Government of Ontario's French-language services. They are identified by sector for easier reference.
Recent Achievements: 2004 to 2006
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Creation of a Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs. The committee's mandate is to advise the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs on how to best meet the needs of the Francophone community.
Designation of five new agencies under the French Language Services Act . Since 1988, 201 agencies have been designated to provide services in French.
Participation of Ontario at the Xth Summit of the Francophonie in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Designation of the City of Brampton and the municipality of Callander under the French Language Services Act. After an implementation period of two years, provincial government offices located in Brampton will offer their services in French. Because there are no offices of the provincial government located in the municipality of Callander, French-language services will be available at government offices in the City of North Bay.
Signing of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services providing $1.4 million per year over four years to increase the capability of the Government of Ontario to deliver French-language services and support the development and vitality of the Francophone community of Ontario.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
Distribution of a Resource Guide for immigrant entrepreneurs to all the Canadian Embassies and high commissions abroad.
EDUCATION
Funding of $30 M allocated to the province's 12 French-language district school boards as a first step in the implementation of the French-Language Education Strategy.
To help strengthen French-language education in Ontario, the Government launches the Politique d'aménagement linguistique 2004 . This plan is designed to help promote French language and culture, improve student achievement and self-esteem and help keep young Franco-Ontarians in French-language schools.
Commitment of $140 million to contribute to the development of French-language schools.
Signing of the Provincial-Federal Funding Agreement for French-Language Education and French-as-a-Second-Language Instruction, providing $301 million over four years for minority and second-language instruction at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels, as well as an additional $30 million to recognize that Ontario has the largest minority French-language community in the country.
Establishment of a permanent Elementary and Secondary French-Language Education Task Force to advise the Minister of Education on unique Francophone matters such as promoting French culture, reducing assimilation and helping to retain Francophone students.
POSTSECONDARY
Commitment of targeted funding to promote access to postsecondary education for Francophones as part of the $6.2 billion to be invested in response to the Rae Report.
Creation of an advisory committee on French-language postsecondary education charged with advising the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on improving access to French-language postsecondary programs.
SENIORS
Creation of a Francophone Advisory Committee by the Seniors' Secretariat in order to develop, implement and evaluate a series of information tours for Francophone senior citizens across Ontario.
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Support for French-language school boards to plan for the provision of child care services under the Best Start Plan.
HEALTH
Unprecedented commitment of $125 million to expand Montfort Hospital co-funded with the federal government.
Establishment of a Francophone working group on health care reform, headed by the CEO of Montfort Hospital.
Inclusion in the preamble of Bill 36 on local health system integration of recognition that the requirements of the French Language Services Act must be respected. The Bill also requires that the Francophone community be consulted both in the development of a provincial health system plan – through the establishment of a French-language health services advisory council, and at the regional level by local health integration networks.
SERVICES FOR WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The Government adopts a Domestic Violence Action Plan. One of the objectives of this Plan is to improve access to French-language violence prevention programs and services in accordance with the French Language Services Act.
The Centre Victoria pour femmes and the Timmins and Area Women in Crisis announce the creation of a new Francophone Sexual Assault Centre.
Holding of États généraux sur le développement des services en français en matière de violence contre les femmes (conference on the development of French-language services in the area of violence against women). The purpose of the conference was to discuss issues related to French-language violence prevention programs and services, to discuss best practices and explore models for improved service delivery.
Investment of $1.9 million to support sexual assault centres across the province offering French-language services or serving Francophone communities.
MUNICIPALITIES
Adoption of an
Act to amend the City of Ottawa Act
, 1999, recognizing the bilingual character of the City of Ottawa. The amendment requires the City of Ottawa to adopt a policy respecting the use of the English and French languages in all or specified parts of the administration of the city and in the city's provision of all or specific municipal services.
Provision of $700,000 over four years to translate municipal by-laws and other key documents into French, cost-shared with the federal government.
2003
CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
A federal-provincial-community committee is set up to discuss Francophone immigration.
HEALTH AND LONG TERM CARE
Announcement of a $7.4 M increase to the base funding of Montfort Hospital and a grant of $20.8 M for 2003-2004.
TRANSPORTATION
Citizens can request licence plates with the design of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
2002
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Eleven new transfer payment agencies are designated under the
French Language Services Act
as providers of French-language services. Since 1988, 196 agencies have been designated as providers of services in French. Of these, 66 have been designated since 1995.
EDUCATION
Official groundbreaking ceremony at
L'École secondaire de formation professionnelle et technique
in Ottawa.
Official opening of Collège Boréal campus in Toronto, in the Fall 2002.
JUSTICE
Signature of a memorandum of understanding between Legal Aid Ontario and the
Centre médico-social communautaire de Toronto
for the 2003 opening of the first Francophone Legal Aid Clinic in Toronto.
HEALTH
Five-year memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the French-Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario.
SERVICES TO WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
Announcement of funding for Francophone pilot projects in the area of violence prevention.
2001
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Games of La Francophonie 2001, Ottawa-Hull: the Ontario Government participates in the planning of the Games and hosts a pavilion that welcomes many visitors. Some 3,000 athletes and artists from 52 countries compete in these games, 85 of these competitors being from Ontario. In all, Ontario wins 3 medals in the Cultural competitions and 16 medals in the Sports division (8 of which are gold).
The Franco-Ontarian flag becomes an official emblem of the province.
JUSTICE
Additional financing to improve legal aid services in French in Ontario.
The Courts of Justice Act is amended to improve access to justice and simplify the administrative procedures to request a bilingual trial.
CHILDREN'S SECRETARIAT
The Government of Ontario launches the Early Years Challenge Fund. In order to meet the needs of Francophone families, a special envelope – 5% of the total Fund – is set aside for projects within the Francophone community. Following consultations with Francophone stakeholders, a separate process is put in place to evaluate and recommend projects by Francophone groups.
2000
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Organization of the 4th Games of La Francophonie to be held in Ottawa-Hull in 2001.
HEALTH
128 long-term care beds allocated to Montfort Hospital, as part of the government's commitment to create 20,000 new long-term care beds in the province by 2004.
EDUCATION
$4 million to train specialists to identify young Francophones who need special education services.
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Five year agreement with the Federal government for the funding of French-language colleges, including some funding for the
Collège d'Alfred
.
Funding to La Cité collégiale for the development of a bilingual training centre for call services in the high technology industry.
Funding to Le Collège Boréal for the Centre for Excellence in Forestry of Northern Ontario.
TOURISM
The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMP) develops a tourism marketing strategy specifically for the Francophone community of Ontario and provides tourism information in French to Francophone consumers.
1999
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
The Ontario Government attends the 8th Francophone Summit in Moncton where the Ontario Pavilion showcases Ontario products and services.
JUSTICE
The Ontario Legal Aid, established under the
Legal Aid Services Act
, must provide services in French.
1998
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Renewal of the
Canada-Ontario Agreement on the Promotion of Official Languages
.
Five year Federal/Provincial Agreement for the financing of French-language school boards.
JUSTICE
The
Provincial Offences Act
transfers responsibilities for the administration and prosecution of offences to the municipal level. The Act is accompanied by a memorandum of understanding whereby municipalities in designated areas agree to maintain the provision of services in French.
1997
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
After 3 years of implementation, Francophones in the City of London officially have the right to receive provincial government services in French as stipulated under the
French Language Services Act
.
EDUCATION
Creation of 12 French-language school boards (4 public and 8 separate) with funding equivalent to that of English-language school boards.
SERVICES TO WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The OFA, together with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services and the Ontario Women's Directorate, implement an action plan to increase services to help Francophone women victims of violence.
1995
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Opening of two French-language colleges:
Collège Boréal
and
Collège des Grands Lacs
, and a permanent campus site for
La Cité collégiale
.
Multi-use school facilities are established in Kingston and Brampton.
1994
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of a new area under the
French Language Services Act
. The City of London becomes the 23rd designated area to provide provincial government services in French. These services come into effect on July 1,1997.
Under the Act, another eight agencies are designated to provide some or all of their services to the public in French, bringing the total number of designated agencies to 130.
Provincial Francophone organizations now number 76 in comparison with 31 in 1986.
FINANCE
Amendments to the
Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act
enables the caisses populaires to offer a wider array of financial services and support to their Francophone clients. They can offer preferred shares to members, an important source of revenue to help them expand.
Financing to set up caisses populaires in under-serviced areas.
Amendments to the Cooperatives Corporations Act provides cooperatives with:
EDUCATION
First multi-use school facility set up in Longlac. (Fall 1994)
Capital funding for the construction of eight new French-language schools.
Dissolution of the Conseil scolaire de langue française d'Ottawa-Carleton and creation of two autonomous French-language boards as of July 1, 1994: the Conseil des écoles publiques d'Ottawa-Carleton and the Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française de la région d'Ottawa-Carleton .
CULTURE
Establishment of an annual Trillium Award to recognize Francophone authors and French-language literature.
A new community radio station for the Cornwall-Alexandria area goes on air.
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
There are now 52 Francophone daycare centres. In 1986, there were 3.
HEALTH
Establishment of a Francophone medical social services centre in Hamilton-Wentworth.
1993
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of 24 agencies under the
French Language Services Act
(July 1993).
(New total: 122)
Renewal of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on the Promotion of Official Languages.
EDUCATION
Announcement of the creation of two new French-language colleges, one in Northern Ontario (
Collège Boréal
) and one in Central/Southwestern Ontario (
Collège des Grands Lacs
).
CULTURE
Creation of a fund for Francophone cultural centres with the help of the Office of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
The first Salon du livre de Toronto , a French-language book fair, financed to a large extent by the government, is held in October 1993. It is the first event of that nature in Ontario.
The community radio station for Kapuskasing goes on air with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
AGRICULTURE
The
Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens
is recognized as the official union to represent the province's Francophone farmers.
HOUSING
The
Coalition franco-ontarienne pour le logement
is recognized as the official representative for Francophones on housing issues.
JUSTICE
Designation of the first two legal clinics under the
French Language Services Act
; one in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the other in Prescott-Russell.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Establishment of the
Association des personnes sourdes franco-ontariennes
.
1992
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of 12 agencies under the
French Language Services Act
(Summer 1992).
(New total: 98)
EDUCATION
Creation of a French-language school board in Prescott-Russell (January 1992).
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Establishment of the Minister's Advisory Committee on a Cultural Policy for Francophones of Ontario as a result of recommendations contained in the report, RSVP!: Clés en mains/RSVP!: Keys to the Future, by the Working Group for a Cultural Policy for Francophones of Ontario. The interministerial committee (Culture and Communications, Office of Francophone Affairs) submits its final report in November 1992.
HEALTH
Establishment of two French-language community health centres, one in Sudbury and the other in Cornwall-Alexandria. A bilingual community health centre is also underway in Longlac.
1991
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of 15 agencies under the
French Language Services Act
(Fall 1991).
(New total: 86)
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Creation of a grants program for the development of French-language community radio.
SERVICES TO WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The Office of Francophone Affairs receives an allocation in order to develop a strategic plan for the provision of violence prevention services in French. Emphasis is placed on public education initiatives and on the development of direct services for Francophone women victims of sexual assault.
JUSTICE
The Revised Statutes of Ontario are published in French.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Creation of a program for victims of sexual assault to improve French-language services for Francophone women.
"Partir d'un bon pas pour un avenir meilleur/Better Beginnings, Better Futures": a provincial project on services for children in difficulty includes a French-language pilot project in Cornwall-Alexandria.
EDUCATION
Re-establishment of the Council on Franco-Ontarian Education (CEFO) to advise the Minister of Colleges and Universities and the Minister of Education on all subjects concerning French-language education programs at the elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels.
Creation of the Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs (ACFA) to advise the Minister of Colleges and Universities on the issue of French-language postsecondary studies (July 1991).
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Provisional report of the Select Committee in Ontario on Confederation, which recommends the maintenance of French-language services.
1990
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of 24 agencies under the
French Language Services Act
(December 1990). (New total:71)
EDUCATION
Setting up of the French-Language Education Governance Advisory Group (Cousineau Commission) responsible for recommending criteria for the governance of French-language education in Ontario.
Opening of Ontario's first French-language college of applied arts and technology, La Cité collégiale (Ottawa, September 1990).
Bourdeau Commission's report recommending the establishment of French-language colleges in Northern and Central/Southern Ontario.
TRANSPORTATION
Beginning of the installation of bilingual signage on provincial highways.
JUSTICE
Amendments to article 136 of the Courts of Justice Act provide for other forms of hearings such as pre-trial and pre-motion conferences, as well as the filing of documents in French in certain regions.
1989
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
On November 19, 1989, the French Language Services Act comes into effect.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Creation of the first
Centre médico-social communautaire
(Toronto) that brings health and social services under one roof.
1988
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Designation of the first 47 agencies under the
French Language Services Act
. The first agency designated is the Hospital Notre-Dame in Hearst.
Canada-Ontario Agreement on the Promotion of Official Languages: Cooperation Agreement between the two governments to improve access to French-language services in provincial ministries.
EDUCATION
Setting up of first French-language school boards in Toronto and Ottawa.
LITERACY
Creation of French-language community literacy centres.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Creation of the French-language daycare network,
Réseau francophone de services de garde
.
1987
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Dissolution of the Council on Franco-Ontarian Affairs and creation of the Ontario French- Language Services Commission.
Development and presentation of each ministry's implementation plans for French-language services for review by the Ontario French-Language Services Commission and the Office of Francophone Affairs.
Establishment of a linguistic evaluation centre by the Human Resources Secretariat.
Establishment and enhancement of the offices of the French-language services coordinators in ministries and certain crown corporations.
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS
TVOntario's
La Chaîne
begins broadcasting. (January 1987)
1986
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Adoption of the
French Language Services Act
. This Act consolidates existing policies and recognizes the right of Francophones to receive government services in French in the 23 designated areas of the province.
Establishment of a simultaneous interpretation service in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
EDUCATION
Enactment of legislation on school governance giving Francophones full and exclusive governance of their French-language schools and instructional units.
1985
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
The Office of the Government Coordinator of French-Language Services becomes the Office of Francophone Affairs.
1984
EDUCATION
Recognition of the right of Francophones to receive an education in French at the elementary and secondary school levels, and removal of the "where numbers warrant" requirement.
JUSTICE
Passage of the Courts of Justice Act giving French and English official language status in Ontario's court system.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Adoption of a legislative guarantee relating to the delivery of French-language social services (Child and Family Services Act).
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Approval of the creation of a French-language channel,
La Chaîne
, on TVOntario.
1982
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Policy adopted by the Public Service Commission allowing for the designation of bilingual positions. Knowledge of the French language becomes a selection criterion to hire staff for some positions.
JUSTICE
Enactment of legislative amendments authorizing registration of certain forms and documents in French (wills, property titles, etc.), registration of property in French, and adoption of French-language firm names by companies.
MUNICIPALITIES
Amendment to the
Municipalities Act
authorizing the holding of municipal council meetings in French and the adoption of by-laws in English and French.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Ontario becomes a participating member of the
Association internationale des parlementaires de langue française
(International Association of French-Language Parliamentarians).
1981
EDUCATION
Founding of the
Centre Jules-Léger
for Francophone students with learning difficulties.
Opening of the Alfred College of Agriculture and Food Technology.
TOURISM
Setting up of a bilingual tourist information service in Ontario.
1980
JUSTICE
Delivery of French-language services in provincial courts (Family Division) in the designated areas.
1979
EDUCATION
School boards are required to establish French-language classes, instructional units or schools where numbers warrant.
JUSTICE
Authorization to use French-language versions of statutes as evidence in a trial.
Recognition of the right of Francophones to a criminal trial in French in Ontario.
1978
EDUCATION
The Council on French-Language Schools becomes the Council for Franco-Ontarian Education and its mandate is expanded to include postsecondary education.
JUSTICE
Passage of the Act that provides for the creation of bilingual juries.
Beginning of the program to translate the statutes of Ontario.
1977
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Creation of the Office of the Government Coordinator of French-Language Services with a mandate to supervise the application and development of the French-language services policy.
The Advisory Council for Franco-Ontarian Affairs becomes the Council on Franco-Ontarian Affairs. Its mandate is broadened to include advising the Government on all matters related to francophone affairs with the exception of education.
Beginning of bilingual signage in government buildings.
Appointment of French-language services coordinators in some ministries.
EDUCATION
Appointment of an Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for French-language education.
JUSTICE
Creation of an advisory committee of Francophone jurists to advise the Attorney General of Ontario on matters relating to the use of French in provincial courts.
Possibility of holding court trials in French in certain legal districts.
MUNICIPALITIES
Creation of a financial aid program for municipalities interested in offering French-language services.
1976
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Authorization to publish documents relating to the municipal and provincial elections in English and French.
JUSTICE
Implementation of the French-language services program in the courts. A bilingual provincial court, Criminal Division, is set up in Sudbury.
1975
EDUCATION
Creation of a scholarship program to encourage Ontario students to continue their postsecondary studies in French.
1974
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Creation of the Advisory Council for Franco-Ontarian Affairs. (See 1977)
EDUCATION
Increase in the number of French-language courses in the province's universities and colleges of applied arts and technology.
1973
EDUCATION
Creation of the Ontario Languages of Instruction Commission.
1972
EDUCATION
Creation of the
Conseil supérieur de l'éducation des écoles de langue française
. [Council on French-Language Schools] (See 1978)
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Adoption of a government policy on the delivery of French-language services. This policy includes the obligation to translate documents intended for public distribution and to respond in French to all written requests for information in French. It also creates the first designated areas.
1970
FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
Appointment of a Coordinator of Bilingualism responsible for overseeing the development of French-language services in the ministries.
1969
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Creation of the Ontario-Quebec Commission for Cooperation with a mandate to promote exchanges in education and culture.
Creation of the Bureau franco-ontarien /Franco-Ontarian Office of the Ontario Arts Council.
Creation of a French-language section at TVOntario and beginning of broadcasting of educational programs.
1968
EDUCATION
The Government enacts amendments to the
Education Act
, officially recognizing the existence of French-language elementary schools. The same amendments authorize the creation of French-language instructional units at the secondary level.
Creation of French-language advisory committees for the school boards.
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