The Francophone Lens

Frequently, Francophone needs are not taken into consideration in proposed laws and programs. Indeed, the French Language Services Act is very often misinterpreted or simply not well known. This can have serious consequences in areas where people are vulnerable, especially health care and children and youth services.

To address these deficiencies, the Office of Francophone Affairs has developed a new resource: The Francophone Lens. The Commissioner’s Office team has had the opportunity to explore this very useful tool, which is intended to help ministries integrate French-language services from the early stages of policy and program planning. The Francophone Lens consists of a user guide, a tool kit containing many resources produced over the years, and an interactive online course.

The Francophone Lens was officially launched in November 2016. Before the official launch and since then, many promotional efforts have been made to identify and train large numbers of public service employees. Needless to say, these actions will also have to generate mechanisms for targeting all new employees, especially those who are members of policy development and communications teams, so that they can do their jobs effectively. It would also be beneficial to show the Francophone Lens to key Francophone leaders. This would help build trust, instil a new spirit of cooperation and, in so doing, improve the Francophone Lens.

There is no doubt that this initiative will result in improved integration of French-language services in the day-to-day work of government. However, for the government to fulfil its legislative and regulatory obligations, the Francophone Lens must become a widely used tool among all current and future employees. Without this requirement, they will not be made aware of their responsibilities for developing and delivering French-language services and for complying with the letter and the spirit of the Act.

Recommendation 9

The Commissioner recommends that the Secretary of the Cabinet, Head of the Ontario Public Service, ensure that the Francophone Lens, developed by the Office of Francophone Affairs, be promoted and implemented as an exemplary training tool for public service employees, including those working in service planning and delivery, policy and program development, as well as communications. It is also recommended that the Office of Francophone Affairs report annually on progress made in the number of civil servants completing the training.