Acknowledgements

As French Language Services Commissioner, I feel it is only proper and essential to recognize our provincial office’s 10 years of service to Franco-Ontarians.

On January 1, 2014, following the enactment of Bill 106, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner became an independent body reporting to the Legislative Assembly. A few days later, I sent my first official communication as an independent officer to the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs at the time. There is absolutely no question that the project to make the Commissioner independent would not have been possible without her leadership and her support among MPPs.

On the occasion of my tenth annual report, I would like to pay tribute to Ms. Meilleur’s outstanding contribution to our Ontarian Francophonie over the last 10 years and more. She built rock-solid credibility with her peers by heading ministries fraught with major issues and remaining a model and symbol of leadership for our French-speaking communities.

Her strong dedication to those communities, coupled with her skills and her political acumen, was instrumental in the final decision by the Cabinet and the Premier to go ahead with making the Commissioner’s Office independent. On behalf of our complainants, our community and my team, I thank her for her years of exemplary service and for the institution she gave us.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention her colleague, the MPP for Nickel Belt, France Gélinas, who introduced two private member’s bills to make the Commissioner an officer reporting directly to the Legislative Assembly. Her tenacity is equalled only by her passion for Francophone affairs. The entire Commissioner’s Office is grateful to her.

François Boileau