See more examples of results we’ve achieved for Francophones.
Ready to make a complaint?
Learn more about our work with French language services
You have the right to use French to communicate with and receive services from the government of Ontario.
Ombudsman Ontario has a dedicated team to help protect that right, led by the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario.
We are responsible for monitoring the application of the French Language Services Act. Based on your complaints and experiences, we recommend improvements to make services in French better for everyone.
If you are having trouble receiving government services in French, contact us.
Our services are free and confidential.
How we help
We can help you with things like:
- Obtaining or correcting your official Ontario documents (health cards, driver’s licences, birth certificates)
- Navigating the process for government benefits or funding (housing, social benefits)
- Obtaining health services in French
- Receiving information from the government of Ontario in French
Some of the organizations you can complain to us about are:
- 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.
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?
- See the full list of organizations you can complain about
- See our Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact our French Language Services Unit
How we’ve helped
Discover how our team has helped improve services in French in Ontario:
Bad experience, better service
A Francophone woman contacted us to share an experience she found particularly distressing. She had visited a ServiceOntario location near her home in the greater Toronto area to renew her Photo Card. While in line, she asked for service in French from the receptionist, who responded in English.
No test, no job
After completing truck driver training in Ottawa, a Francophone tried multiple times to get a certified bilingual driver examiner for his test at a DriveTest centre in southern Ottawa, a designated area under the French Language Services Act. He complained to us that despite confirming the appointment, the centre told him each time that the bilingual examiner was unavailable.