Joint News Release of the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner: Making it Easier to Access Justice in French
November 20, 2012 – Ontario is making it easier for Francophones to access the justice system in the official language of their choice.
The government is establishing a steering committee with representatives from the justice sector and other organizations to review and develop an implementation plan that responds to the recommendations outlined in the French Language Services Bench and Bar Advisory Committee’s report — Access to justice in French.
Access to justice in French was released on Aug. 2, 2012 and describes the steps needed to ensure that French speakers have effective access to justice in French while making the most efficient use of existing resources.
The McGuinty government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians have fair and seamless access to the Ontario justice system in the official language of their choice.
QUOTES
“Our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians have fair and seamless access to the Ontario justice system in the official language of their choice. We’re very proud of efforts made thus far by all justice stakeholders to support access to justice in French in Ontario, and we’re looking forward to helping them even further with a roadmap to provide French services in a cost and time sensitive manner.”
— John Gerretsen, Attorney General
“In renewing our commitment to enhance access to justice in French in Ontario, our government is ensuring that French speaking citizens are provided with the supports and services they need to deal with our justice system.”
— Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
“I wish to thank the Attorney General for his leadership in continuing to ensure access to justice in French in Ontario, as it is a fundamental right. I am pleased that the Bench and Bar Advisory Committee’s recommendations have been heard and that the needs of French-speaking citizens are being put amongst the Ministry of the Attorney General’s top priorities.”
— François Boileau, French Language Services Commissioner
QUICK FACTS
- Access to justice in French in Ontario outlined 17 key recommendations in nine activity sectors for which accountability and evaluation methods were defined.
- The Attorney General established the French Language Services Bench and Bar Committee in 2010 following a recommendation made by the Commissioner.
- Three pieces of legislation form the current legislative framework for French-language rights in the justice sector in Ontario: the Criminal Code, the Courts of Justice Act and the French Language Services Act. These pieces of legislation confirm the official status of French in the justice system.
LEARN MORE
Read the French Language Services Bench and Bar Advisory Committee’s report on Access to justice in French.
Elaine Flis, Minister’s Office, 416-326-7071 ontario.ca/attorneygeneral-news
Brendan Crawley, Communications Branch, 416-326-2210
Simon Côté, Office of the French Language Services Commissioner, 416-314-8247 https://csfontario.ca/en/section/salle-de-presse