Published plans and annual reports 2015-16: Office of Francophone Affairs

Ministry overview

Mandate

The Office of Francophone Affairs’ mandate is to oversee the application of the French Language Services Act (FLSA), work with ministries and agencies to ensure that the needs and interests of the Franco-Ontarian community are taken into account in public policies and programs, and to facilitate the participation of the Franco-Ontarian community in government-related initiatives.

• As steward of the FLSA and main advisor of the Government on Francophone Affairs and French-language services, the Office of Francophone Affairs:
• Oversees the application of the FLSA and works with ministries and agencies to ensure that French-language services are available to the public in designated areas of the province;
• Leads the French-language services implementation planning process in newly designated areas and makes recommendations with respect to the designation of new areas and agencies under the FLSA;
• Provides expert strategic and operational advice to ministries and agencies and develops resources to support them in their efforts to offer and deliver accessible and high-quality services;
• Promotes Francophone affairs inside government and partners with key ministries on policy and program initiatives to foster the participation and added value of the Francophone community in the prosperity of the province;
• Reaches out to the Francophone community and raises the profile of government initiatives that improve the lives of Francophone citizens; and
• Liaises with other jurisdictions on matters relating to the Francophonie and enhances the profile of Franco-Ontarians, at both the national and international levels.

Legislation

French Language Services Act
Franco-Ontarian Day Act

Ministry organization chart

• Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
  • Marie-Lison Fougère, Deputy Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
    • Kelly Burke, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Carl Bouchard, Director
      • Charles Jean Sucsan, Director

Ministry Contribution to Priorities and Results

The following strategies outline the key activities of the Office of Francophone Affairs in 2015-16:

Key strategy 1: modernizing French-language services

Building capacity of French-language services

• Finalize analysis of designation requests under the French Language Services Act (FLSA) submitted by community stakeholders in Markham and Oshawa. Continue to support other Franco-Ontarian community stakeholders that plan or have submitted similar requests for other areas.
• Develop and share new resources to support the implementation of French-language services by ministries and agencies of the Government of Ontario (i.e. the integration of French-language services in policies, practices and directives strengthening “active offer” of French-language services).
• Continue to coordinate the implementation of the regulation on third-parties that deliver services on behalf of government agencies.
• Finalize an “FLS Lens” on-line resource, in collaboration with key ministry partners, to help ministries integrate the requirements of the FLSA into new policies and programs.
• Develop options to update the schedule of designated areas in order to reflect the amalgamation of municipalities.
• Coordinate projects funded under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services.
• Analyze 2011 Census data and generate statistical profiles on the province’s Franco-Ontarian population.
• Launch and promote the 2015 Ontario Francophonie Awards to recognize Francophones and Francophiles who, in the past 5 years, have made an outstanding contribution to the social, economic, political and cultural vitality and well-being of Ontario’s Francophone community.
• Implement the Province’s three-year plan to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Francophone presence in Ontario.

Accountability for results

• Oversee the application of the FLSA and continue to work with ministries to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach to the planning and delivery of quality French-language services on an “active offer” basis.
• Continue to work with central agencies to ensure that new and revised directives and policies take into account the needs of the Franco-Ontarian community and are in compliance with the FLSA.
• Support the work of the Minister’s Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs.
• Continue to work with ministries and other government agencies that submit reports on new agreements with third parties that deliver services on their behalf (Ontario Regulation 284/11).
• Coordinate the Ontario Government’s response to reports and recommendations of the French Language Services Commissioner and ensure appropriate follow-up.

Community of practice for excellence in French-language services

• Continue to support the growth of a community of practice for excellence in French-language services through the OPS French Language Services Awards of Excellence and professional development opportunities for bilingual professionals.

Key strategy 2: promoting Ontario’s visibility in Francophone affairs

Provincial and inter-provincial levels

• Continue to strengthen Ontario’s leadership role on Francophone affairs at the federal-provincial-territorial level through active participation in the activities leading up to the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, which is being hosted by Ontario in June 2015.
• Work with government ministries in order to coordinate and implement the joint Ontario-Québec Statement on Canadian Francophonie.

National and international levels

• Liaise with other jurisdictions on matters relating to the Francophonie and enhance the profile of Franco-Ontarians, at both the national and international levels.

Key strategy 3: contributing to a stronger Francophone community

Leverage key government initiatives

• Work with ministries and other government agencies on the development of French-language services (Fls) for the Franco-Ontarian community with a primary focus on areas such as health care, community and social services, immigration, economic development, education, justice, and children and youth initiatives:
  • Health – Monitor the progress and involvement of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINS) and French-Language Health Planning Entities in improving the capacity of health providers to deliver FLS;
  • Training, Colleges and Universities (TCU) – Analyze designation requests from post-secondary institutions under the French Language Services Act (FLSA) and work with TCU to support the implementation of the government’s Action Plan for French-language Postsecondary Education in Central and Southwestern Ontario and improve postsecondary opportunities in French across the province;
  • Ontario Women’s Directorate – Support the implementation of services for Francophone women and children under the Government’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan;
  • Immigration – Support the implementation of Ontario’s new immigration strategy, particularly the component targeting French-speaking newcomers and the achievement of the 5% Francophone immigration goal;
  • Northern Development – Ensure the implementation of the Northern Ontario Growth Plan is inclusive of Franco-Ontarians, and in keeping with the letter and spirit of the FLSA;
  • Tourism – Ensure regional tourism organizations are inclusive of Francophones, and operate according to the Fls requirements contained in the transfer payment agreements; and ensure overall government participation in the 400th anniversary commemoration;
  • Economic Development – Promote the value of the Francophone factor in Ontario’s economic sector, including the contribution of French-speaking economic immigrants;
  • French Language Services Commissioner – Coordinate the Government’s responses to the Commissioner’s recommendations;
  • Justice – Support the work of the FLS Bench and Bar Steering Committee to implement the recommendations of the “Access to Justice in French” 2012 report.
    • Ontario is implementing a pilot project that responds to a number of recommendations set out in this report. The pilot aims to provide seamless French language services at the Ottawa courthouse.
    • The OFA supports the project team that has been created to implement the pilot by leading the Legal Community Engagement Committee.

Capacity building initiatives – community development and outreach

• Pan/Parapan-American Games – Ensure the visibility of the Franco-Ontarian culture, as well as the integration of FLS, during the games.

Key strategy 4: 400^th anniversary of French presence in Ontario

Coordinate the efforts of the 400th Anniversary Provincial Steering Committee

• Lead the 400th Anniversary Provincial Steering Committee, convened by the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. The key stakeholders include the educational/tourism sectors, the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario, and municipal government associations;
• Coordinate overall government participation in the 400th anniversary in implementing multi-jurisdictional projects and a special funding program to support community-based initiatives;
• Implement communication strategies for multiple media platforms and a brand visibility campaign to promote the 400th anniversary activities with the collaboration of stakeholders of provincial, national and international levels.

Ministry programs

Francophone Affairs Co-ordination Program

The Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) provides advice to the Ontario government on matters concerning Francophone affairs and the provision of French-language services.

The OFA’s primary program consists of:

• partnering on cross-ministry transformation initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness and ensure the integration of French-language services in those initiatives
• monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of French-language services by reporting on ministries’ achievements and corporate performance measures on an annual basis
• making recommendations with respect to the designation of new areas and agencies under the FLSA and coordinating the implementation of services in newly designated areas
• working with ministries and agencies to ensure a coordinated response to the French Language Services Commissioner’s (Flsc) annual report
• analyzing Census data and generating statistical profiles on the province’s Franco-Ontarian population
• coordinating the transfer of federal funding to other ministries and agencies for projects and initiatives funded under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-language Services
• leading the planning and execution of Ontario’s commemoration of the 400 years of Francophone presence across the province; and
• hosting the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie (MCCF) to be held in Toronto in June 2015.

Agencies, boards and commissions-(abcs)

Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs

Provides advice to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs on the development of strategies, priorities and programs which affect Ontario’s Francophone community, and on the planning and delivery of government French-language services.

Table 1: ministry planned expenditures 2015-16

Table 2: operating summary by vote 2015-16

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2015 Ontario Budget.

** Estimates include $1.4M in Federal Funding.

*** Transferred to Board of Internal Economy.

2014-15 Annual report

2014-15 achievements

The following outlines the Office of Francophone Affairs’ major accomplishments in delivering on key priorities:

Key strategy 1: modernizing French-language services

• Independent French Language Services Commissioner: Finalized the transition of this Office to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
• Partial designation of Laurentian University under the French Language Services Act. The following designations were also approved in 2014-2015:
  • maison d’hébergement pour femmes francophones: full designation for services provided on behalf of Mcss;
  • Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing: expansion of existing designation (Mohltc-Mcss) to include full designation of services provided on behalf of Mag.
• Implemented new framework for designating and evaluating public service agencies under theFrench Language Services Act.
• Provided support to Francophone community stakeholders in Markham and Oshawa in the development of their requests for designation under the French Language Services Act.
• Analyzed ministry and other government agency final reports and compliance plans, for agreements entered into before July 1, 2011, with regard to Ontario Regulation 284/11 on third party service delivery on behalf of government agencies.
• Ongoing implementation of the third party regulation to ensure ministries and other government agencies (as per the definition in the FLSA), are in compliance with the FLSA when French-language services are delivered by third parties on their behalf.
• In collaboration with ministry partners and Franco-Ontarian community stakeholders, the OFA implemented a framework for designating and evaluating public service agencies under the French Language Services Act.
• Worked with line ministries to ensure a coordinated response to the French Language Services Commissioner’s seventh annual report and provided the FLS Commissioner with all information requested in the preparation of his eighth annual report.
• Continued to manage the Canada-Ontario Agreement on FLS on behalf of ministries. This entailed leading the project submission/selection process, coordinating ministries’ activities and funding transfers, and ongoing liaison with Canadian Heritage, to ensure reporting requirements were being met. In all, 43 projects were selected and will be supported for the remainder of the agreement (2013-2018).
• Continued to implement the new and more inclusive definition of “Francophone”.
• The Office of Francophone Affairs continued to work with Cabinet Office Communications on the ongoing implementation of the new guidelines for communications in French. These guidelines were reinforced by an official government directive adopted by Treasury Board / Management Board of Cabinet (TB/MBC) in May 2010. This standardizes OPS-wide practices with respect to external communications in French and ensures a consistent approach on the part of current and future employees of the OPS.

Key strategy 2: promoting Ontario’s visibility in Francophone affairs

• Continued to coordinate Ontario’s participation in the Francophone Affairs component of the Ontario-Québec Agreement.
• Supported Ontario’s participation as host and co-president of the 2015 Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.
• Supported Ontario’s participation at the XV Summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) which was held in November 2014 in Dakar, Sénégal.
• Coordinated an Inter-ministerial delegation to the 20^th Montreal Conference, an international forum on economic globalization.

Key strategy 3: contributing to a stronger Franco-Ontarian community

Worked closely with ministries in support of key initiatives in education (elementary, secondary and postsecondary), health, immigration and the prevention of violence against women:

Children and Youth Services - Worked with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on the Moving on Mental Health initiative to ensure that the program reflects the specific needs and reality of the Franco-Ontarian community.

French-language Postsecondary Education – Continued to support the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities with the implementation of the Action Plan for French-language post-secondary education in the Central and Southwestern regions.

Immigration – Continued to provide advice regarding new legislation on the Ontario Immigration Act, and the province’s Immigration Strategy which sets a 5 per cent target for Francophone immigration.

Treasury Board Secretariat – Worked with central agencies to ensure that new and revised directives and policies take into account the needs of the Franco-Ontarian community and are in compliance with the French Language Services Act. This includes on-line training for government appointees to government agencies.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Training, Colleges and Universities – Provided advice and collaborated with ministries to find solutions regarding the future of Alfred Campus.

Table 3: ministry expenditures 2014-15

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2015 Ontario Budget.

** Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions.