A man informed us that although he had chosen to receive the Metrolinx e-newsletter about the Ontario Line in French, it was still being emailed to him in English every week. Through our discussions with Metrolinx, a government agency under the Ministry of Transportation, we found out that the …
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A man informed us that although he had chosen to receive the Metrolinx e-newsletter about the Ontario Line in French, it was still being emailed to him in English every week.
Strengthening the Designation: A Collaborative Effort
O N T A R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WATC H D O G Strengthening the Designation: A Collaborative Effort Investigation into Laurentian University’s cuts to French-language programming during restructuring and into the administration of the university’s designation by the Ministry of Francophone Affairs …
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Investigation into Laurentian University’s cuts to French-language programming during restructuring and into the administration of the university’s designation by the Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities
In French, please, Your Honour
We were contacted by a person who requested a bilingual hearing at a courthouse in Northern Ontario. However, at the time of the hearing, the judge present could only speak English and no other means of providing services in French were available. The self-represented person could not follow the …
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We were contacted by a person who requested a bilingual hearing at a courthouse in Northern Ontario.
For follow-up in French, press 2
A man contacted the provincial COVID-19 vaccine system by phone and chose the “French” option to request his proof of vaccination by mail. He contacted us to point out that the follow-up call from the Ministry of Health to verify that he had received his proof of immunization was in English. As a …
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A man contacted the provincial COVID-19 vaccine system by phone and chose the “French” option to request his proof of vaccination by mail.
Electrifying solution
We were contacted by a person living in a designated area of Eastern Ontario who requested the French version of an inspection report conducted by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). The ESA is a Delegated Administrative Authority that does not meet the definition of a government agency under …
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We were contacted by a person living in a designated area of Eastern Ontario who requested the French version of an inspection report conducted by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
Problem extinguished
A man working at a French-language school board contacted us because he wanted to obtain the French version of the Fire Code (Regulation 213/07 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act ) in order to know the provisions that apply to school facilities. The regulation is only available in English. …
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A man working at a French-language school board contacted us because he wanted to obtain the French version of the Fire Code (Regulation 213/07 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act) in order to know the provisions that apply to school facilities.
Cured by translation
We were contacted by a person who visited the Ontario Health Data Platform website to learn more about a Ministry of Health research project – only to discover the site was only available in English. We raised the issue with the Ministry, which explained that the site and the platform were not for …
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We were contacted by a person who visited the Ontario Health Data Platform website to learn more about a Ministry of Health research project – only to discover the site was only available in English.
Improvements on track
We were contacted by a Francophone woman after she tried to call Metrolinx. Although she chose the French phone line, she said the agent who took the call could only speak English. The agent asked if she was able to continue the conversation in English, which she declined to do. The agent then …
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We were contacted by a Francophone woman after she tried to call Metrolinx. Although she chose the French phone line, she said the agent who took the call could only speak English.
The award goes to…
We were contacted by a person who watched the Trillium Awards ceremony on Facebook on June 17, 2020, which was held in English only. This person was particularly offended by the fact that the portion of the awards ceremony for French-speaking artists was in English only. We raised the issue with …
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We were contacted by a person who watched the Trillium Awards ceremony on Facebook on June 17, 2020, which was held in English only.
Errors identified
In February 2021, the government launched an online consultation to get ideas and feedback on its plan to introduce a digital ID (digital identification). The goal of the program is to make it easy and completely secure for individuals and businesses in Ontario to prove their identity online. A …
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In February 2021, the government launched an online consultation to get ideas and feedback on its plan to introduce a digital ID (digital identification).
2020-2021 Annual Report of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
O N T A R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WATC H D O G Annual Report of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario 2020 2021 O F F I C E O F T H E O M B U D S M A N O F O N T A R I O IS S N : 19 16 -9 18 3 Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario WHO WE ARE: An independent, impartial Office of the Ontario …
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Commissioner's Message - Taking Care of Ontario's Linguistic Health
This is the second Annual Report of the French Language Services Commissioner presented by the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario. As we look back on the past year, we are more motivated than ever by the opportunity we have, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to find effective solutions to the challenges we confront.
Call Waiting
A woman told us that she wanted to get physiotherapy care for her father. Her phone call was transferred twice before it was answered by a bilingual staff member at her local Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) office. We raised the issue with the regional agency of Ontario Health, which …
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A woman told us that she wanted to get physiotherapy care for her father.
Clinical error
A Francophone woman complained to us that a dermatology clinic at an eastern Ontario hospital did not provide services in French when she booked her appointment on the phone, at reception or during the medical examination. She only received results in French after the examination. After conducting …
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A Francophone woman complained to us that a dermatology clinic at an eastern Ontario hospital did not provide services in French when she booked her appointment on the phone, at reception or during the medical examination.
Alerting all at once
The French Language Services Unit has received several complaints about the Amber alert system. Complainants have informed us that the delay between the English and French versions of the alert and multiple alerts in a row regarding the same case undermine public confidence in the Amber alert …
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The French Language Services Unit has received several complaints about the Amber alert system.
The right words
A Francophone education professional complained to us about the inadequate quality of French on some of the forms for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), a school-to-work transition program offered in high schools across the province. We raised the issue with the Ministry of Labour, …
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A Francophone education professional complained to us about the inadequate quality of French on some of the forms for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), a school-to-work transition program offered in high schools across the province.
For service in French, dial OO
A Francophone student seeking information about scholarships via the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) contacted us when he discovered there was no option to select services in French in the automated phone system of the OSAP department he called. Our French Language Services Unit raised …
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A Francophone student seeking information about scholarships via the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) contacted us when he discovered there was no option to select services in French in the automated phone system of the OSAP department he called.
Landing test
A woman returning from an overseas trip complained to us that she was not served in French during the COVID-19 test she was required to undergo at Toronto Pearson airport. We discovered that the test was administered by a third party as part of a pilot-screening project set up by the Ministry of …
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A woman returning from an overseas trip complained to us that she was not served in French during the COVID-19 test she was required to undergo at Toronto Pearson airport.
Better bilingual service for landlords and tenants
Our French Language Services Unit received many individual complaints from landlords and tenants who had difficulty receiving services in French from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). These were brought to the board’s attention, and it has made improvements, including hiring more bilingual staff …
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Our French Language Services Unit received many individual complaints from landlords and tenants who had difficulty receiving services in French from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
Easier to complete
A French-speaking member of the board of directors of a small housing co-op in northern Ontario sought our help when he had trouble completing an annual form from the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO). The form, which all condominium boards are required to submit by the beginning of March, was …
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A French-speaking member of the board of directors of a small housing co-op in northern Ontario sought our help when he had trouble completing an annual form from the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO).
Email fail
After requesting information from the Ministry of Health in French and receiving answers in English twice, a Francophone journalist complained to our Office. He also reported that the email signatures of the government employees he contacted were in English only. We discovered that all media …
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After requesting information from the Ministry of Health in French and receiving answers in English twice, a Francophone journalist complained to our Office.