PROPOSED REGULATION ON HEALTH; THE COMMISSIONER PROPOSES THE ADDITION OF A FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Toronto, November 13, 2008- François Boileau, Ontario’s French Language Services Commissioner, suggests to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care of Ontario, the Honourable David Caplan, to modify his proposed regulation and to include a French language services coordinator. He also asks the minister to reintroduce the concept on the French language health service planning entities in accordance to the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006. The Commissioner made this proposition in a letter sent to the Minister within the framework of the public consultation on the proposed regulation on health.
According to François Boileau, the proposed regulation contains serious gaps. It does not entirely meet the requirements stated in the French Language Services Act regarding the accountability of the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). LHINs are new government agencies. They need to endow with a French language services coordinator to meet the requirements of the French Language Services Act. This coordinator would ensure follow-up of the activities of the French language health services planning entity. The coordinator should also be able to directly influence the strategic planning and other directions of the entire LHIN.
QUOTES
“The addition of a coordinator would end the missing link to the proposed regulation. It can be a corporation body, like the French-language health networks. We therefore ensure that LHINs assume their responsibilities by making sure of their accountability, without starting a new and without discarding the vitally important organizations.”, explained François Boileau.
“In my first annual report, I strongly insisted that it was important to take French language services into consideration right from the policy and programs design stage. This proposed regulation is such an excellent opportunity for the LHINs to put their right foot forward.”, added the Commissioner.
QUICK FACTS
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has received close to eighty complaints up to this point on the proposed regulation. A special report on health will be tabled before the end of this fiscal year.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has a mandate under the French Language Services Act to conduct independent investigations, either in response to complaints or on its own initiative, to prepare reports on its investigations, and to monitor the progress made by government agencies in delivering French-language services in Ontario.
Marie-Eve Pépin, Communications and Public Relations Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
Phone: 416 314-8247
Toll-free: 1 866 246-5262
E-mail: marie-eve.pepin@ontario.ca
François Boileau will be guest speaker in Ontario schools in 2009
Ottawa, October 3, 2008- François Boileau, Ontario’s French Language Services Commissioner, is delighted that PASSAGE has expanded its mandate to the province and is happy to endorse this initiative. In fact, the initiative is a perfect fit with the Commissioner’s plan to meet young Francophone people in the schools setting throughout 2009.
Commissioner Boileau considers that it is vitally important to encourage the use of the French language in young people’s studies. Indeed, at this stage of life, the use of the language is a deciding factor in preparing for entry in the labour market. The program PASSAGE motivates young Francophones to pursue their studies in French and, in so doing, allows them to pursue career choices in their language, according to the Commissioner.
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“ I intend to share my experience as a Francophone since I entered the labour market. As guest speaker for PASSAGE, not only do I want to share the personal road I have travelled throughout Canada’s Francophone communities, but also to impress upon them the pride I feel in being francophone. In this way, I hope to contribute to a stronger sense of identity for Ontario’s young Francophones.” , has said François Boileau.
QUICK FACTS
François Boileau is the first Commissioner of the French Language Services of Ontario. He has been in this position for one year.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has a mandate under the French Language Services Act to conduct independent investigations, either in response to complaints or on its own initiative, to prepare reports on its investigations, and to monitor the progress made by government agencies in delivering French-language services in Ontario.
TO KNOW MORE
About the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner: www.flsc.gov.on.ca
Marie-Eve Pépin, Communications and Public Relations Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
Phone: 416 314-8247
Toll-free: 1 866 246-5262
E-mail: marie-eve.pepin@ontario.ca
COMMISSIONER RECOMMENDS THAT THE GOVERNMENT CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES ACT
Toronto, June 17, 2008– Ontario’s French Language Services Commissioner, François Boileau, tabled his first annual report in the Legislature today. Entitled Paving the Way, the Commissioner’s report describes the services currently being offered in French by the Government of Ontario. Covering the Commissioner’s first seven months in office, from September 4, 2007, to March 31, 2008, the report contains three recommendations, including that the government close the loopholes in the French Language Services Act.
“The government must take the next step of adopting clear regulations for adequately governing the delivery of French-language services. At the present time, the government has contracts with third parties and public-private partnerships for the delivery of services on behalf of government agencies and ministries. These service providers are not always required to comply with the Act. As a result, Francophones do not get the services to which they are entitled. This must stop,” stated Mr. Boileau.
The Commissioner also made a recommendation to the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, that the role of the government’s French Language Services Coordinators be revised. “Not all of the French Language Services Coordinators have an opportunity to participate in their ministry’s strategic planning process.
And yet these coordinators must be in a position to have an impact on the development of programs and services for Francophones,” added the Commissioner.
In making this recommendation, Mr. Boileau added: “It is time to redefine Ontario’s Francophone population. The government needs a more inclusive definition that reflects the new face of the province’s Francophone communities with their linguistically blended families and newcomers.”
In his first annual report, the Commissioner made a number of observations, in particular about active offer. He believes that French language services must be designed and delivered in a way that reflects the specific needs of Ontario’s Francophones, and that if these communities are to prosper, they must have access to high-quality services in their own language.
Lastly, the Commissioner expects the government to respond positively to his annual report and to follow up on his recommendations.
“The McGuinty government demonstrated leadership in amending the French Language Services Act in May 2007. I hope that it will show the same level of leadership in responding to my report,” concluded Mr. Boileau.
QUICK FACTS
Between November 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner received 62 complaints. Of these, 43 were admissible and 19 were inadmissible. Since March 31, there have been an additional 42 complaints. Thus, to date, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has received 104 complaints.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has a mandate under the French Language Services Act to conduct independent investigations, either in response to complaints or on its own initiative, to prepare reports on its investigations, and to monitor the progress made by government agencies in delivering French-language services in Ontario.
The French Language Services Commissioner took office on September 4, 2007. The Office team has been in place since February 11, 2008.
Marie-Eve Pépin, Communications and Public Relations Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
Phone: 416 314-8247
Toll-free: 1 866 246-5262
E-mail: marie-eve.pepin@ontario.ca
OFFICIAL OPENING AND WEB SITE LAUNCH OF THE OFFICE OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES COMMISSIONER
Your Voice Matters!
Toronto, Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner (FLSC) has officially opened its doors today as well as launched its Website. The government appointed office has been long awaited. It will help Ontario’s Francophone and Francophile population access better French government services. In doing so, it will facilitate the government’s delivering of policies, programs and products tailored to Francophones.
The FLSC is responsible for the implementation and delivery of French Language Services for the province’s Francophone and Francophile population, notably in the 25 designated areas. This newly created office started its activities last Fall and hired its personnel in February 2008.
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“The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner has an ambitious yet noble mandate. We will do everything in our power to facilitate its integration into Ontario’s rich mosaic. We can all be proud of its dynamic Francophone community. The creation of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner is yet another vivid testimony of the government’s commitment towards the Francophone population”, stated François Boileau,
Commissioner.
“With the new Website, links with the community will be just a click away. Your work will not only help Ontario’s Francophones, but it will enrich its community”, said Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty.
QUICK FACTS
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner was created in 2007.
The Office of the FLSC was recommended by the Minister of Francophone Affairs’ (Office of Francophone Affairs – OFA) Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs.
The Office of the FLSC has already received 88 complaints, twice as much as the OFA over the same time frame last year.
The Commissioner has participated in more than 25 public events, acted as key speaker on more than 30 occasions, and responded to 40 media requests.
He has met individually all government deputy ministers to discuss the complaints’ resolution process.
He has also met with representatives of most of the key Francophone stakeholders, associations and community leaders.
For more information:
Louise Gauvreau, Project Coordinator. 416 314-9495
Marie-Eve Pépin, Public Relations Officer. 416 314-8247
