Location: French Language Services Act

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The French Language Services Act

The Act

The French Language Services Act (complete text of the act) guarantees each individual the right to receive provincial government services in French in 25 designated areas of the province.

Why this Act?

The Francophone presence in Ontario dates back more than 350 years. The province's Francophone population, which numbers 548,940, is the largest French-speaking Canadian community outside Quebec.

The Ontario Government recognizes the contribution that the French-speaking population has made to the province's historical, cultural and linguistic heritage, and wishes to preserve it for future generations.

What services are available?

Any service that is provided to the public by a ministry or an agency of the Government of Ontario.

e.g. Obtaining a driver's licence, birth or marriage certificates, etc.

Do ministries and government agencies have to offer all their services in French at all times?

All ministries and government agencies must offer services in French. Theses services must be available in at least one of the offices of such ministry or agency that is located in or serves a designated area. All the offices must have signs in French indicating the locations where those services are available in French.

Ministries and agencies having offices located outside a designated area but serving a designated area must ensure that services in French are provided to client living in the designated area.

If you do not live in a designated region:

• you can have access to French-language services available in a designated area near you;
• you may contact the central offices of the various ministries;
• you may consult the Web sites of the Ontario Government.

Does the Act require public agencies to provide French-language services?

The Act does not cover all public agencies such as hospitals, children's aid societies, and long-term facilities. These agencies may ask to be officially designated to provide some or all of their services in French once they meet the criteria for designation (for example, French language services plan and policies).

Ministries are responsible for identifying which agencies in the designated areas should implement some or all of their services in French.

Do municipalities have to provide services in French?

Municipalities do not have to provide French-language services, even in the designated regions. They are responsible for deciding whether or not to provide their services in French.

What happens when the services are transferred to municipalities?

Within the framework of local services realignment, when a program or service of provincial jurisdiction is transferred to a municipality, an agreement will ensure that the provision of services in French is maintained at the same level.

Who is responsible for this Act?

The Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs administers the French Language Services Act.

The Minister is assisted in this task by the Office of Francophone Affairs.

To find out more about the French Language Services Act, contact the Office of Francophone Affairs:

Toll free: 1 800 268-7507
In Toronto: 416 325-4949
TDD: 416 325-0017
Fax: 416 325-4980
E-mail: ofa@ontario.ca

Mailing Address:
777 Bay Street, 6th floor
Toronto, Ontario  M7A 2J4