A transgender man complained to our Office because he was having difficulty obtaining an updated birth certificate from the Registrar General. Individuals can change the gender designation on their birth certificate if they submit certain documentation, including a letter from a physician. The man …
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A transgender man complained to our Office because he was having difficulty obtaining an updated birth certificate from the Registrar General.
New identity
After living on the streets for many years, a man sought our help in obtaining valid identification so he could apply for full-time work. His application for a new birth certificate was denied because he had provided incorrect information about his mother. Our staff explored other options for the …
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After living on the streets for many years, a man sought our help in obtaining valid identification so he could apply for full-time work.
Guard let down
A man who needed to renew his Ontario Security Guard licence for work contacted our Office for help in speeding up the process with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. He had been waiting for three months and his existing licence had expired, which threatened to affect his …
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A man who needed to renew his Ontario Security Guard licence for work contacted our Office for help in speeding up the process with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Name changer
In 2001, after years of using his stepfather’s surname, a man decided to revert to his original birth surname. He was issued a short-form Ontario birth certificate reflecting the change. But 12 years later, when he requested a long-form version, it still showed the stepfather’s surname – and …
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In 2001, after years of using his stepfather’s surname, a man decided to revert to his original birth surname. He was issued a short-form Ontario birth certificate reflecting the change.
Identity issue
A woman who had surrendered her driver’s licence for medical reasons complained to us that she was having trouble obtaining a photo identification card from ServiceOntario. She had presented her expired Canadian passport as documentation to obtain the new card, but was told it wasn’t acceptable. We …
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A woman who had surrendered her driver’s licence for medical reasons complained to us that she was having trouble obtaining a photo identification card from ServiceOntario.
French Language Services Commissioner to investigate in-person service delivery at ServiceOntario
(TORONTO – April 1, 2025) French Language Services Commissioner Carl Bouchard today announced that he is launching an investigation into service in French at ServiceOntario locations. "We hear regularly from people who say they were either unable to be served in French by ServiceOntario staff, or …
Commissioner urges Ontario to create a digital directory of public services subject to the FLSA
French Language Services Commissioner presents his 2023-2024 Annual Report; urges Ontario to create a digital directory of public services subject to the French Language Services Act (TORONTO, December 5, 2024) – In his 2023-2024 Annual Report, released today, French Language Services Commissioner …
Ontario government urged to make public health ads bilingual after investigation reveals shortfalls (Law Times)
Angelica Dino 24 July, 2024 This link opens in a new tab Law Times News French Language Services Commissioner Carl Bouchard has released a report urging the Ontario government to ensure all out-of-home advertising is bilingual. This follows an investigation which found that the government …
French language services commissioner calls on government to ensure ads in public spaces are bilingual (The Trillium)
Sneh Duggal July 12, 2024 This link opens in a new tab The Trillium The province's French language services commissioner is calling on the government to ensure all of its advertising in public spaces is bilingual after he found that few ad campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic included any …
FLS Commissioner urges Ontario to respect law; make all out-of-home advertising bilingual
(TORONTO – July 12, 2024) French Language Services Commissioner Carl Bouchard today released a report urging the Ontario government to make all of its out-of-home advertising bilingual, after his latest investigation found it systematically failed to meet its obligations under the French Language …
French language services commissioner receives highest level of complaints and inquiries since 2019 (The Trillium)
Sneh Duggal This link opens in a new tab The Trillium December 7, 2023 A sign for the French River between Sudbury and Parry Sound was missing something: French. So was a provincial ministry’s X account that was detailing the government’s plans to redevelop Ontario Place. These were just a few of …
French Language Services Commissioner reports robust results for Francophones and 40% increase in cases
(TORONTO – December 7, 2023) French Language Services Commissioner Carl Bouchard today called on Ontario government ministries and agencies to train all frontline staff on how and why they are required to provide services in French. They should also ensure their social media accounts are in French …
Ombudsman appoints Carl Bouchard as French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
(TORONTO – December 4, 2023) After an extensive nationwide search to fill the position of French Language Services Commissioner on a permanent basis, Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced that he has appointed Carl Bouchard to the role. Mr. Bouchard has served as Interim Commissioner since March 3, …
French Language Services Commissioner reports “important advancements” in 2021-2022
(TORONTO – December 7, 2022) French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke today called on the province to build on its “strong commitment” to French language services by updating an outdated regulation and improving recruitment of bilingual public servants. In her third Annual Report, the …
Laurentian neglected obligations under French Language Services Act, says language commissioner (CTV)
Ian Campbell CTV March 31, 2022 A new report says Laurentian University, the Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities neglected their obligations under the law when French language programs were cut. When the university declared insolvency last February, it …
Laurentian University violated French Language Services Act when it cut programs: report (CBC)
This link opens in a new tab CBC News March 31, 2022 Sudbury's Laurentian University violated Ontario's French Language Services Act when it cut 29 French-language programs in April 2021, according to a new report from the province's French language services commissioner. In her report, Kelly …
Laurentian program cuts violated French Language Services Act, commissioner finds (Sudbury.com)
Jenny Lamothe This link opens in a new tab Sudbury.com March 31, 2022 Laurentian University “neglected their obligations under the F rench Language Services Act during the university's financial restructuring process” the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario said today. On March 31, …
French Language Services Commissioner recommends assessment tool to aid government in protecting Ontario’s “linguistic health”
(TORONTO – December 7, 2021) French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke today called on the province to ensure its services for Franco-Ontarians are truly equivalent to those in English, and provided without delay. In her second annual report, released today, the Commissioner: Provides …
