Mandate

Mandate

The French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and reports directly to it. The Commissioner ensures that the rights of Ontario citizens and the obligations of government and government agencies are respected according to the French Language Services Act. The Commissioner makes recommendations for improving the delivery of services in French and monitors progress.  In executing his mandate, the Commissioner conducts independent investigations following complaints or on his own initiative, prepares reports and advises the government, government agencies and MPPs to promote compliance with the Act.

Vision

French language services are a priority for all Ontarians, they are acknowledged as a key contributor to the development of a thriving Ontario, and flourishing francophone and francophile communities

Every citizen of Ontario can obtain the government services he or she needs, in French, when they need it, and where they need it.

Mission

The citizen is at the heart of the French Language Services Commissioner’s actions, with special attention to vulnerable individuals. The Commissioner intervenes, at the planning stages of government measures and after implementation, to prevent or remedy situations where Ontarians do not receive the French-language services they require and are entitled to obtain.

The Commissioner focuses on systemic, structural actions that are results-oriented. The Commissioner’s work is proactive, pragmatic, collaborative and innovative. By fulfilling his mission, the Commissioner contributes to the improvement of quality, French language services delivery, and, therefore, the development of a thriving Ontario, with its Francophone and Francophile communities.

Values

  • The respect of citizens’ rights
  • Independence and impartiality
  • Openness and compassion
  • Innovation
  • Adaptability
  • Rigour

Role

Listening to the Francophone community, as well as those who support its development, the Commissioner’s primary roles are:

  • To receive and handle complaints and to follow up on them;
  • To increase the public service’s awareness of the public’s expectations;
  • To exercise its powers of investigation and to make recommendations with respect to the delivery of French-language services.