H1N1 FLU PREVENTION CAMPAIGN: THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW
COMMUNICATIONS IN FRENCH DIRECTIVE LEADS TO POSITIVE CHANGES
TORONTO, May 25, 2011 – The French Language Services Commissioner has released an investigation report on the serious communication errors made during the province’s H1N1 flu prevention campaign in September 2009. The document, entitled An Investigation Report regarding an English-only H1N1 flyer: From communication crash to communication coup, outlines a situation that penalized Ontario’s 600,000 Francophone residents by failing to provide them with information designed to protect their health.
After having analyzed a sequence of multiple errors, the report outlines the corrective measures taken by the Government of Ontario, including the adoption of a mandatory Communications in French Directive. This Directive, which takes into account the needs of Francophone citizens, has been in place over the past year and applies to all Ontario ministries and classified agencies.
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“Following the adoption of this Directive, rather than declare victory and publish our report, we decided to take the time necessary to study its implementation. As a result, we’ve come to the conclusion that, one year after its adoption, this Directive and its implementation can be improved upon, as it is not fully understood by the government’s communication teams,” said Commissioner François Boileau.
“Indeed, despite certain improvements, we continue to receive complaints, particularly about Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) websites.”
QUICK FACTS
The new Communications in French Directive, which was adopted in May 2010, refers to a set of clear guidelines on the best practices to use when communicating with Francophone citizens.
The Commissioner’s investigation has revealed the poor integration of French-language services in the government’s strategic and operational communications planning prior to adopting the new Communications in French Directive.
The investigation report presents four recommendations made by the Commissioner aimed at improving government services for Francophones.
LEARN MORE
This report can be accessed online at www.flsc.gov.on.ca in the PUBLICATIONS section.
Gyula Kovacs, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: (416) 314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262 (toll free)
Email: communications.FLSCcsf@ontario.ca
COMMUNITY RADIO CONTRIBUTES TO THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED
GROWTH OF THE FRANCO-ONTARIAN COMMUNITY
TORONTO, April 21, 2011 – The French Language Services Commissioner has released a study today on the French-language community radio sector in the province. This document, entitled A Study of Ontario’s French-Language Community Radio Stations: Key Components of the Vitality of Francophone Communities, describes various issues, including the lack of government support for this sector since 1995.
In addition to suggesting solutions, the study includes a recommendation by Commissioner François Boileau asking the Government of Ontario to examine the current status of this situation in order to respond to the specific needs of Francophones with respect to community radio.
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“Ontario’s French-language community radio stations not only promote the Francophone population’s cultural heritage but are rightfully part of it,” said French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau.
QUICK FACTS
This study was conducted following a call by the Mouvement des intervenants et des intervenantes en communication radio de l’Ontario (MICRO) lamenting the lack of support by the provincial government for its members.
Ontario has six French-language community radio stations, which broadcast from Hearst, Kapuskasing, Penetanguishene, Toronto, Cornwall and Ottawa.
The Commissioner believes that Ontario’s French-language community radio stations play an important role in citizen engagement and is convinced that theses stations contribute to fight against the assimilation of Francophones.
In 1995, the only provincial program that provided assistance for the province’s community radio stations was abolished. It has never been replaced.
Gyula Kovacs, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: (416) 314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262 (toll free)
Email: communications.flscCSF@ontario.ca
THE COMMISSIONER GIVES THE GOVERNMENT ANOTHER FIVE MONTHS TO
INTRODUCE AN INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE MODEL IN PEEL-HALTON
TORONTO, January 10, 2011 – At the request of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Ontario’s French Language Services Commissioner, François Boileau, announced today that he is giving the Ministry another five months to introduce practical and specific models for the provision of French health services in the region of Peel-Halton.
In spite of the fact that MOHLTC failed to meet the deadline in his Final Investigation Report, tabled in March 2010, the Commissioner believes that it would be ill-advised and contrary to the interests of French-speaking Ontarians to refuse to give the Ministry the requested extension.
Consequently, the Commissioner is giving MOHLTC until May 31, 2011 to comply.
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“The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has already complied with two of the three recommendations in my investigation report. There are encouraging signs, and I want to see tangible results by the end of May,” stated Commissioner François Boileau.
QUICK FACTS
The investigation into the lack of French health services in Peel and Halton was in response to an admissible complaint that was filed with the Commissioner’s Office in November 2007.
The Commissioner tabled his Final Investigation Report with the government in March 2010.
Since then, the Commissioner’s Office has received a number of updates on critical steps taken by MOHLTC to introduce a structure to meet the needs of Francophones living in Peel-Halton, including one sent on December 23, 2010.
MOHLTC has made a commitment to work with members of the community, including the complainants, with whom it will meet this month.
Gyula Kovacs, Public Relations and CommunicationsOfficer
Office ofthe French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: 416 314‐8247 / Tollfree: 1‐866‐246‐5262 / Cell: 416 906‐7021 www.flsc.gov.on.ca
