The London Francophone Consultation Group, a conglomerate of 25 organizations that provides services in French in the London area, received funding to hire six people through the Ontario Job Creation Partnership (OJCP) program. The Francophone participants selected gained valuable work experience through their involvement in this project and the activities undertaken, such as:
the creation of a Francophone Expo, held on September 19, 2013, which featured more than 25 Francophone stakeholders and 250 Anglophone stakeholders. The event was also attended by City of London counsellors, ministry staff and the French Language Services Commissioner;
the development of a comprehensive resource for Francophone entrepreneurs seeking to start their own business; the resource provided links to local, municipal, provincial and federal programs and services;
the launch of a website and a marketing brochure that provide information on French services in the areas of employment and education, child care, immigrant services, health services, and cultural/sporting and recreational services. The website, hosted by the City of London website, aims to increase the visibility of French-language services available in the London community.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Report.
The Mississauga Halton LHIN created a group of identified health service providers within its catchment area. The group led by the MHLHIN aims to improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services in French in the LHIN, as required by the French Language Services Act. This forum provides an opportunity for identified health service providers to discuss topics relating to FLS, such as the latest news and directives, initiatives and programs to support FLS development, funding opportunities, language resources, and best practices and community events.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Reporthere.
With $44,000 in sponsorship money, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation supported nine dedicated Francophone events across the province this year. The funds supported festivals, film, concerts, dance and business luncheons in French in Toronto, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie. OLG’s growing commitment to the Francophone community is reflected in a 96% increase in funding over two years. This heightened support not only helps grassroots organizations and the Francophone community that attends these events; it also promotes the events in diverse, far-reaching and appealing ways within the broader community.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Reporthere.
Justice Sector ministries and Francophone stakeholders’organizations have been participating in the Strategic Plan for the Development of French Language Services in Ontario’s Justice Sector since 2006 in order to improve and modernize access to justice in French. The year 2013 marked the third year of the second phase of the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan.
The directions presented in this new phase are aligned with those exemplified by the government’s adoption of concepts such as FLS results-based planning, diversity and inclusion, and integration of FLS in the accountability mechanisms within the Ontario Public Service, as well as with the Research Study on theMechanisms of Offer and Demand for FLS in Ontario’s Justice Sector. In addition, the recommendations made by the French Language Services Commissioner complement and guide the identified directions.
At the Annual Francophone Stakeholders Meetings, which are part of the strategic planning process, Justice Sector ministers and senior managers take the opportunity to address the participants and show by their presence and encouraging words their unconditional support for the partnership and consultations undertaken with the community. These meetings provide a forum where all key partners can sit at the table, define FLS priorities and potential solutions, and create linkages and partnerships to meet the needs of the Francophone community.
Progress reports submitted each year during these meetings clearly reflect the efforts undertaken by the various divisions to implement the guiding principles and the mission of the new cycle of the Strategic Plan. Specific initiatives and best practices are consolidated in the Annual Report of the Francophone Stakeholders Meeting.
The consensus from both the Justice Sector and the stakeholders is that this consultation process and the Annual Francophone StakeholdersMeetingsare essential to better understand the needs of the Francophone community and strengthen our relationships. The stakeholders play a crucial role by encouraging us to remain vigilant and keep moving in the right direction.
This government-community partnership has been extremely successful and has helped to consolidate the joint efforts and create positive and productive relations between the community and governmental partners.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Reporthere.
The Central West LHIN and its Entity, Reflet Salvéo, partnered to create a collaborative care project focused on Francophone seniors. The goal of the initiative was to enable the community to identify care needs and build a business case to address them. With the leadership and support of the LHIN and the Entity, community members met and participated in an engagement and planning process in order to draft a business case.
Community members from Francophone seniors groups, community centres, health service providers and community colleges were mobilized for the collaborative care project and engaged in the development of the LHIN’s Seniors Strategy. Through community engagement sessions and a survey, this project is building capacity within the community. In addition, the community was able to better understand their health needs and the process of service planning, and provided the LHIN with valuable information and guidance in drafting its SeniorsStrategy.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Reporthere.
The Erie St. Clair and South West LHINs put together a French Language Services Toolkit as a comprehensive resource to support health service providers in implementing and delivering quality services and meeting the needs of their French-speaking patients and clients.
The Toolkit provides an overview on a variety of subjects related to the delivery of services in French. Each section is designed to provide useful information and practical tools to make delivery of services in French as easy as possible. Providers will find basic information on the Francophone community, active offer of French-language services, human resources, training, translation and interpretation, supporting legislation and thehealthline.ca. The Toolkit also contains fact sheets, lists of resources, flyers, badges, a lanyard and signs to promote the delivery of services in French. It can be easily adapted for use in other areas of the province or for non-health service providers.
The Honourable Mentions Series is a series of 11 blog posts that the Commissioner is releasing to individually recognize the leadership shown by government ministries and agencies that have made efforts to expand the delivery of high-quality French-language services, as listed in his 2013-2014 Annual Reporthere.
