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Displaying 121 - 140 of 144

Lacking language

A man who was following the complaints process regarding a bilingual community legal clinic reached out to us after receiving an English-only version of the clinic’s complaints policy. We contacted Legal Aid Ontario, which ensured the full translation of the document into French. Learn more about …
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A man who was following the complaints process regarding a bilingual community legal clinic reached out to us after receiving an English-only version of the clinic’s complaints policy.

The road to French services

We received a complaint from a man who had recently moved to Canada. Although his motorcycle licence was valid in his home country, he was required to re-take the test in Ontario. The man had been assigned an English-speaking examiner for his motorcycle road test, even though he requested a …
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We received a complaint from a man who had recently moved to Canada. Although his motorcycle licence was valid in his home country, he was required to re-take the test in Ontario. The man had been assigned an English-speaking examiner for his motorcycle road test, even though he requested a French-speaking examiner in advance at a designated DriveTest centre.

On the hook

A woman who runs a commercial fishing business complained that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had not responded to her request for a refund of more than $31,000 she had overpaid in Crown lease fees over several years. She also complained that she had been waiting since 2015 for the …
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A woman who runs a commercial fishing business complained that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had not responded to her request for a refund of more than $31,000 she had overpaid in Crown lease fees over several years.

All’s well that ends well

After our staff assisted a Tesla owner in having his Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program application approved, he returned to us for help in February 2019, after he received only half of his $14,000 rebate. Ministry of Transportation officials acknowledged they had made an error and …
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After our staff assisted a Tesla owner in having his Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program application approved, he returned to us for help in February 2019, after he received only half of his $14,000 rebate.

Month to month

A man sought our help with his local hydro company, which was sending him late notices and charging him interest on his quarterly water heater rental bill. He maintained he had been making monthly payments, but had been unable to resolve the matter through discussions with the company. Our staff …
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A man sought our help with his local hydro company, which was sending him late notices and charging him interest on his quarterly water heater rental bill.

Connection made

A woman was trying without success to have hydro reconnected at a rental property and was concerned about a delay and lack of communication from the local hydro company. As a result of our Office’s inquiries, the company contacted her and hydro at the property was reconnected. … Connection …
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A woman was trying without success to have hydro reconnected at a rental property and was concerned about a delay and lack of communication from the local hydro company.

Overbill overkill

A farmer was concerned about the high electricity bills he received for the first six months of 2014, even though his corn dryer – the machine on his farm using the highest amount of electricity – wasn’t in use. His bills were close to $9,000, including $843 in delivery charges on $112 worth of …
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A farmer was concerned about the high electricity bills he received for the first six months of 2014, even though his corn dryer – the machine on his farm using the highest amount of electricity – wasn’t in use. His bills were close to $9,000, including $843 in delivery charges on $112 worth of electricity.

Electrifying error

A woman was frustrated and confused by a dramatic increase in her electricity bills after her meter was changed in August 2013 – from $244 that July, to $403 in August, and up to $1,700 in January 2014. She said Hydro One was unable to provide her with an explanation for the increases, other than …
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A woman was frustrated and confused by a dramatic increase in her electricity bills after her meter was changed in August 2013 – from $244 that July, to $403 in August, and up to $1,700 in January 2014.

Wires crossed

We received complaints from four residents in one building who each received catch-up bills from their municipal hydro company for $2,000-5,000. The company told us it had discovered a wiring error in the building that caused bills to go to the wrong units. A metering company had investigated, and …
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We received complaints from four residents in one building who each received catch-up bills from their municipal hydro company for $2,000-5,000.

Powerful gesture

A man was upset that it took the Ontario Electricity Support Program six months to process his application, even though its website says it should take 6-8 weeks. Our inquiries determined that the delay was actually exacerbated by the man providing an outdated email address on his application; …
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A man was upset that it took the Ontario Electricity Support Program six months to process his application, even though its website says it should take 6-8 weeks.

In the Dark

Ombudsman RepORt André Marin, Ombudsman of Ontario • May 2015 Investigation into the transparency of Hydro One’s billing practices and the timeliness and effectiveness of its process for responding to customer concerns https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Resources/Reports/In-the-Dark.aspx?lang=en-CA Find …
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Investigation into the transparency of Hydro One’s billing practices and the timeliness and effectiveness of its process for responding to customer concerns.

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 …

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The Ontario Ombudsman’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario, and we are thankful to be able to work and live on this land. 

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