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Results-based Plan Briefing Book 2008-09

Office of Francophone Affairs

Ce document est disponible en français

ISSN# 1718-6625

Table of Contents

PART I: Published Results-based Plan 2008-09

MINISTRY OVERVIEW

Overview Statement

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

Mandate

As steward of the French Language Services Act and main advisor of the government on Francophone Affairs, the Office of Francophone Affairs:

• Sees to the application of the French Language Services Act 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 designates new areas and agencies under the French Language Services Act;
• 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 the province, both at the national and international levels.

Office of Francophone Affairs Organization Chart

* (A) denotes “Acting”

Legislation

French Language Services Act.

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner

PUBLISHED RESULTS-BASED PLAN 2008-09

The following strategies outline the key activities of the Office of Francophone Affairs in 2008-09:

Key Strategy 1: Modernizing French-language services

• Lead final stages of the planning process for the provision of French-language services in the newly designated area of Kingston in preparation for the spring 2009 implementation date.
• Develop and share new resources to support the work of ministries on French-language services.
• Continue to coordinate the Ontario Government's participation in the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French Language Services and prepare a negotiation strategy for the new five-year agreement 2009-2014.

Accountability for results

• Continue to work with ministries to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach to the planning and delivery of quality French-language services and the measurement of results through the results-based planning process and the coordination of the Interministerial French-language Services Performance Measurement Committee's activities.
• Support the work of the Minister's Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs.

Community of practice for excellence in French-language services

• Promote the creation of a community of practice for excellence in French-language services through the organization of regional symposia on best practices, the Ontario Public Service 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

• Work on the continued implementation of agreements on Francophone Affairs and develop new cooperation opportunities with other provinces.
• Continue to strengthen Ontario's leadership role on Francophone affairs at the federal-provincial-territorial level through, for instance, active participation in the activities leading to the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.

National and international levels

• Liaise with other jurisdictions on matters relating to the Francophonie and enhance the profile of the province, both at the national and international levels.
• Work on initiatives for international cooperation in areas such as education, economic development and new technologies.

Key Strategy 3: Contributing to a stronger Francophone community

Leverage key government initiatives

Work with ministries on the development of French-language services for the Francophone community with a primary focus on areas such as health care, community and social services, immigration, economic development, education, and labour market development and training:

Health – Support the French Language Health Services Advisory Council established under the Local Health System Integration Act regulations;

Community and Social Services – Support planning of French-language services in the development of a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy and continued implementation of Best Start;

Support implementation of services for Francophone women under the Domestic Violence Action Plan and the Sexual Assault Action Plan;

Immigration – Support planning of language training programs, settlement services, and supports for internationally trained professionals which meet the needs of French-speaking newcomers;

Economic Development – Promote the value of the Francophone factor in Ontario's economic sector;

Education – Continue to support Implementation of TFO's self-governance (TFO is a publicly-funded television channel offering educational and cultural programs in French);

Labour Market Development and Training – Participate in the development of a labour market strategy and implementation of the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement as it relates to French-language services and programs.

Capacity Building initiatives – community development and outreach

Work with Francophone community organizations on an innovative Youth Engagement Strategy to engage Franco-Ontarian youth and foster a stronger sense of Franco-Ontarian identity.

Continue to administer the public education grants program in the area of the prevention of violence against women.

MINISTRY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Table 1: Ministry Planned Expenditures 2008-09

Table 2: Ministry Planned Expenditures by Program Name 2008-09

OFFICE OF FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS Operating Summary by Vote

The Office of Francophone Affairs advises government, its ministries and agencies on matters concerning Francophone affairs and the provision of French-language services. It also fosters the Francophone community's participation in Ontario society while supporting its language and culture.

The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner, an agency of the government, investigates compliance with the French Language Services Act, reports on results of investigations and monitors progress of government agencies in providing French-language services.

* Estimates for the previous fiscal year are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. 

APPENDIX I:
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08

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

Key Strategy 1: Modernizing French-language services

• Led the ongoing planning process for the provision of French-language services in Kingston, a newly designated area.
• Led the process for legislative changes to the French Language Services Act to create the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner:
  • Amendments to the French Language Services Act were passed by the Legislative Assembly as part of the Budget Bill. Royal Assent was granted on May 17, 2007;
  • The French Language Services Commissioner was appointed on August 1, 2007, and took office on September 4, 2007.
• Worked on a number of initiatives that support the integration of French-language services in the Ontario Public Service' Modernization Agenda, including the creation of an Interministerial French-language Services Performance Measurement Committee which developed corporate performance measures on French-language services.
• Piloted a five-day professional development program called French Language Excellence (FLEX), which provided an opportunity for bilingual professionals to pursue specialized professional development in French.
• Led the implementation of the four-year Canada-Ontario Agreement on French Language Services 2005-06 to 2008-09, with an increase of $1.1 million in funding for the period of the Agreement, the first such increase since 1988.

Key Strategy 2: Promoting Ontario's visibility in Francophone affairs

• Organized the 2nd Ontario Francophonie Awards to recognize individuals who have made valuable contributions to the advancement of the French language and culture in Ontario and coordinated an exhibit across the province highlighting 400 years of Franco-Ontarian history.
• Continued to coordinate Ontario's participation in the Francophone Affairs component of the Ontario-Quebec Agreement.
• Supported Ontario as Chair of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.
• Coordinated an interministerial delegation to the 13th Montreal Conference, an international forum focusing on international trends, with an entire day dedicated to the francophonie internationale. This was a first for Ontario.

Key Strategy 3: Contributing to a stronger Francophone community

Worked closely with ministries to maximize benefits for Francophones on implementation of key strategies in education, labour market development and training, health and immigration:

Education – Provided advice and support on the implementation of the self-governance of TFO (a publicly-funded television channel offering educational and cultural programs in French);

Labour Market Development and Training – Participated in discussions on the implementation of the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement as it relates to the planning and provision of training services in French;

Health – Participated in community consultations on the establishment of the Advisory Committee on French-language Services under the Local Health System Integration Act and made recommendations on proposed mandate and membership;

Immigration – Provided advice regarding planning of language training programs and settlement services, and supports for internationally trained professionals for French-speaking newcomers.