French speakers

Everyone has the right to communicate with and receive services from the government of Ontario in French.

Ombudsman Ontario is here to make sure your linguistic rights under that act are respected. We are happy to help you in French with any concern you have about a government or public service and offer all our services in French.

Read on to find out about:

  • What you should know
  • How we can help you
  • Results and positive change
  • Connecting with you

Use the “Make a complaint” button to tell us your concern. It’s easy, confidential and free.

Make a complaint

What you should know

We have a dedicated team that works in French and specializes in the application of the French Language Services Act.

Our French Language Services Unit is led by Carl Bouchard, the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario. The Commissioner plays an important role in supporting Ontario’s francophone community. Reporting to the Ombudsman, the Commissioner is responsible for monitoring compliance with the French Language Services Act (FLSA) and recommending ways to improve the delivery of government services in French.  

Like the Ombudsman, the Commissioner is independent and has the power to launch investigations and make recommendations to improve government service in French.

We are:

  • Responsible for monitoring the application of the French Language Services Act
  • Independent – we are not part of the government
  • Impartial – we don’t take sides (we promote fairness and respect for rights)
  • Bilingual – we have served Ontarians in French and English since 1975 and can help you with many things in French (not just French language services)


Your complaints allow us to:

  • Improve government services in French – and for all Ontarians
  • Address systemic issues in the delivery of services in French
  • Protect and promote the language rights of Francophones in Ontario

How we can help you

We can help you access services in French like:

  • Correcting your official documents (driver’s licence, birth certificate, health card)
  • Getting benefits or funding
  • Accessing health care services
  • Dealing with documents or proceedings from a court or tribunal
  • Receiving information from the Ontario government


You can complain to us about organizations like:

  • ServiceOntario
  • Ministry of Francophone Affairs
  • Ministry of the Attorney General
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Hospitals, long-term care homes, universities and other organizations designated under the French Language Services Act

It’s not always easy to tell where service in French is available, or which agencies are required to serve you in French. If you’re not sure, contact us.

Even if your issue is about something not covered by the French Language Services Act, we will do our best to help.

What we can’t do

There are some things we can’t do. We can’t:

  • Take complaints about
    • Private companies (banks, retail stores)
    • Federal government services or agencies (Passport Canada, Air Canada)
  • Reverse decisions of elected officials

If we can’t help, we’ll help you figure out who can.

Still have questions?

Results and positive change

Every year in December, the Commissioner publishes an Annual Report with recommendations to improve French language services in Ontario. These have been overwhelmingly accepted by the government.

Here are some examples of how we’ve helped improve services in French

Piece of paper with "Please speak in English" written on it

"Please speak in English"

A man shared with us his family’s experience after their dying mother was admitted to a designated hospital in Northern Ontario. On several occasions, he and his family were unable to obtain services in French when visiting their mother. They noticed that their mother received very few services in French and even found a note that asked her to “Please speak in English”.

Image of young children at a daycare centre

Daycare designations – Not child’s play

In February 2024, we learned via the news media of possible changes happening at Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, a Francophone daycare centre in Toronto that appears in Ontario Regulation 398/93 as a government agency designated under the French Language Services Act. One of the centre’s locations was reportedly planning to close its doors.

Two workers on a construction site

Ensuring bilingual service

A Francophone man told us about a workplace accident that left him unable to use his legs for a few years. After multiple complex surgeries, he started walking again. His injury claim was submitted to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). He shared a letter with us from the WSIB that was written in English.

Connecting with you

As part of our role in protecting and promoting the linguistic rights of French speakers in Ontario, we participate in many Francophone community events. This allows the Commissioner, Ombudsman and our team to hear from French speakers firsthand about their experiences with government services.

You can find us at events that celebrate Ontario’s diverse French-speaking culture, as well as conference and other gatherings in the education, health care, social services, business and justice sectors.