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Location: About the OFA > Announcements > August 1, 2007

About the OFA Sections: Who We Are & How to Reach Us | Announcements | Plans and Reports

Backgrounder: François Boileau – First French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario

News Release
August 1, 2007

McGuinty Government Appoints First French Language Services Commissioner

New Commissioner Will Work In Collaboration With Francophone Community And Government

OTTAWA – Francophone Affairs Minister Madeleine Meilleur announced today the appointment of Mr. François Boileau as Ontario's first French Language Services Commissioner.

"I am very pleased that someone with Mr. Boileau's background and experience has been chosen to be the very first French Language Services Commissioner," said Meilleur. "Mr. Boileau's expertise and profound knowledge of the Franco-Ontarian community are a perfect fit for the requirements of this important and challenging position."

The government followed an open process to call for applications for the position of French Language Services Commissioner. The Lieutenant Governor in Council officially appointed the French Language Services Commissioner last week.

"It is a great moment for me, but I accept this appointment with humility because I recognize that, first and foremost, it is a great moment for the Francophones of Ontario and also for all Ontarians," said Boileau.

"I am delighted by this appointment," said Mariette Carrier-Fraser, president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario. "Mr. Boileau's experience at the Court Challenges Program, at the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and with the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada make him the ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that his recommendations will have a positive effect on the delivery of French-language services by the Ontario government."

"The development of the Franco-Ontarian community happened solely through its institutions. The creation of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and Mr. Boileau's appointment symbolize the recent progress of Francophone Ontario and represent a milestone in the recent history of the Franco-Ontarian community," said Gaétan Gervais, historian of Ontario's Francophone community and founding member of the Franco-Ontarian Institute.

The main functions of the commissioner will include:

Investigating compliance with the French Language Services Act, at his or her own initiative or in response to complaints
Reporting on the results of the investigations
Monitoring the progress of government agencies in providing French-language services
Advising the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs on the administration of the act.

The Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) is currently responsible for complaints regarding the provision of French-language services by the Ontario government. The OFA will work closely with the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner to ensure a smooth transition.

"The French Language Services Commissioner will be an ally for both the community and the government," said Meilleur. "I look forward to working with Mr. Boileau to continually improve the accessibility and quality of government services in French in Ontario."

This is just another example of how the McGuinty government is improving services for Francophone Ontarians. Other such initiatives include:

Additional investments of $317 million in Ontario's French-language education system
In health, an investment of $185 million to double the size of Montfort Hospital in Ottawa
Self-governance granted to TFO, which now has its own board of directors and its own budget
Designation of the City of Kingston, the City of Brampton and the Municipality of Callander under the French Language Services Act
Designation of 13 new community agencies under the French Language Services Act since 2004. These agencies provide health care and support services in French for children, youth and women who are victims of violence.

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For more information:
Marc Despatie
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister Responsible For Francophone Affairs
416 433-8584

Charles Jean Sucsan
Senior Manager, Strategic Communications
Office of Francophone Affairs
416 325-4968

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