1. Best practices
These Best Practices were developed in partnership with the Franco-Ontarian community or because they enhanced the vitality of disadvantaged Francophone populations. Each one of them will be the subject of a blog post by the Commissioner during the coming year.
Formal Apology for Regulation 17
In February 2016, the Government of Ontario formally apologized to Franco-Ontarians for Regulation 17. Coming more than a century after the use of French as the language of instruction was prohibited in primary schools, this apology is both historic and symbolic. It was also intended to promote and protect the vitality and sustainability of Franco-Ontarians in keeping with the French Language Services Act. The Communications Division of the Office of the Premier and the Office of Francophone Affairs supported the Premier, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, in this historic statement made in French to the Legislative Assembly.
Ontario Joins the International Organisation of La Francophonie as an Observer
In November 2016, Ontario officially joined the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) as an observer member. This status will allow Ontario to expand its relationships with Francophone countries and build partnerships with the international Francophonie.
The Office of Francophone Affairs worked with the Communications Division and Intergovernmental Affairs to prepare Ontario’s application, supported by a reception promoting Ontario and a bilingual prospectus distributed to all Canadian embassies located in IOF member countries.
Contractual Obligations to Provide French-Language Services
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services developed four contractual clauses describing the level of a service provider’s capacity to offer services in French. These clauses are mandatory and are discussed during negotiations with service providers, as prescribed by Regulation 284/11. The ministries require a minimum level 2, proven capacity to offer services in French. The Commissioner encourages this type of practice because it facilitates planning for the offer of services and clarifies the expectations in terms of French-language services offered by service providers on behalf of the ministries.
Francophone Workforce Planning Action Plan
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is working closely with the Hôpital Montfort and other stakeholders on implementing an action plan on Francophone human resources planning in Ontario’s healthcare sector. This five-year action plan is meant to improve access to services in French throughout the provincial healthcare system. It includes 10 priorities categorized under three priority actions, a work plan and a governance structure to oversee its implementation. It sets out initiatives such as innovative training models and internships, raising awareness about the importance of French-language services for safe, quality healthcare services, and using the active offer to measure performance. This action plan was based on the report entitled Planifier, former et engager la main-d’œuvre francophone dans le système de santé ontarien, prepared by the Hôpital Montfort, and is the logical follow-up to the Summit on the Future of Francophone Human Resources in Healthcare in Ontario held in Toronto in February 2016.
French-Language Services Work Network
In August 2016, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care established a working group on French-language services. In addition to the Ministry, the working group is composed of the LHINs, health planning entities and community care access centres in Ontario. Its mandate is to study ways to improve accountability and performance of the healthcare system, as well as access to appropriate linguistic services at the LHINs. The working group on French-language services is also responsible for clarifying the various roles, responsibilities, and reporting of healthcare workers with respect to French-language services and makes recommendations on how to fulfill obligations under the French Language Services Act.
2016-2021 French-Language Services Strategic Plan for the Justice Sector
The Ministry of the Attorney General recently adopted the 2016-2021 French-Language Services Strategic Plan for the Justice Sector. This plan is the result of a harmonious collaboration with Francophone organizations and Francophone stakeholders from the community. It provides the Ministry with strategies and orientations to permanently anchor the active offer of French-language justice services. The strategic planning process was the result of ongoing consultations with Francophone stakeholders since 2006.