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Government of Ontario
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Office of Francophone Affairs
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The French presence in Ontario dates back more than 350 years, with the establishment of the Mission of Sainte-Marie-Among-the-Hurons (Simcoe County) in 1639.
L'Assomption Catholic Mission was founded in Windsor around 1742.
After 1850, Francophone immigration spread to the following regions: Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, Glengarry-Stormont, Midland-Penetanguishene, Essex-Kent.
Francophones settled in the midnorthern areas of the province around 1880 (Nipissing) and in the more northern regions (Timiskaming, Cochrane ...) at the beginning of the 20th century.
For several years, Ontario's Francophone community has been welcoming Francophones from around the world, including Europe, the West Indies, Asia and Africa.
Ontario's Francophone community numbers 548,940 (Statistics Canada - 2001 census) and represents 5% of the province's population. It is the largest French-speaking population outside Quebec.
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Hundreds of primary and secondary schools serve students whose first language is French.
Twelve French-language school boards (4 public and 8 separate).
Three French-language postsecondary institutions:
Four universities and university colleges offer programs or courses taught entirely or partially in French.
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Ontario's bilingual capacity and French-language resources represent a source of economic vitality.
Francophones own approximately 12,000 Ontario businesses, companies and corporations.
In addition to agricultural businesses in the Eastern, Southwestern and Northeastern regions, the Francophone community has contributed to the development of natural resources, specifically in the forestry and mining sectors.
There are approximately 140 cooperatives including 50 caisses populaires with assets of almost 3 billion dollars.
The Francophone business community is joining forces: Regroupement des gens d'affaires, Chambre économique de l'Ontario, Club canadien de Toronto ...
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Francophones work mainly in the socio-cultural, business and professional fields.
A large segment of the Francophone work force is also found in the manufacturing industry sector.
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Francophone writers and playwrights often win national literature awards.
Across the province, you can also find:
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Radio: 6 community stations and 5 government stations ( Radio-Canada ).
Television: TFO (Reaches 75% of Francophones in Ontario households and is accessible through basic cable in New Brunswick. Its signal also reaches 320,000 households in Québec via cable and satellite.), Radio-Canada (from Ottawa), RDI, TV5, TVA.
Media: 17 weeklies, 2 bimonthlies, 1 daily ( Le Droit ), 5 magazines.
Some fifty community newsletters published by various organizations.
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French and English are the official languages in Ontario's court system.
The Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario ( AJEFO ) works to improve the availability of legal services in French.
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There are about 44 municipalities that officially offer their services in French.
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Franco-Ontarian Directory
Map of the Francophone Community
Request a meeting with the Minister
Complaints Process
French Language Services Commissioner
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Request a Meeting with the Minister
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Complaints Process
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© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2007
Last Modified: May 30, 2008
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