When new signs were installed at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Fish Culture Station in North Bay, some Francophone residents noticed something fishy - the signs were in English only. Photos of them circulated on social media and in the local newspaper, and caught the notice of …
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When new signs were installed at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Fish Culture Station in North Bay, some Francophone residents noticed something fishy - the signs were in English only.
A message in French will follow
With the current pandemic and the necessity to work from home, using conference call lines has become the norm in many organizations. The French Language Services Unit received a complaint that the greeting message on one of the conference call lines being used by the Ontario Public Service (OPS) …
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With the current pandemic and the necessity to work from home, using conference call lines has become the norm in many organizations.
Our opinion matters
An education worker complained to our French Language Services Unit about a unilingual English survey about technology that was being conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Education. Because it was in English only, she said the survey - done by a third party - excluded the views of Francophone …
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An education worker complained to our French Language Services Unit about a unilingual English survey about technology that was being conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
Failing the test
A man visited a London DriveTest centre with his son, who wanted to take the theory component of the road test, and requested services in French. He told us the person at the counter was unable to provide services in French and did not try to find a French-speaking colleague to help. Our staff …
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A man visited a London DriveTest centre with his son, who wanted to take the theory component of the road test, and requested services in French.
Hold, s’il vous plaît
A francophone man complained to our French Language Services Unit that he waited an hour on the phone for service in French when he called the disability eligibility decision unit of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. He finally hung up in frustration, called back and chose …
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A francophone man complained to our French Language Services Unit that he waited an hour on the phone for service in French when he called the disability eligibility decision unit of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Au revoir, not goodbye
A woman complained to our French Language Services Unit that the Superior Court in Toronto could not serve her in person in French, resulting in a wasted trip and frustration. Our staff contacted the administrative services of the Superior Court to assess the lack of services in French and to …
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A woman complained to our French Language Services Unit that the Superior Court in Toronto could not serve her in person in French, resulting in a wasted trip and frustration.
Website faux pas
A French-speaking woman sought our help after she encountered difficulties with the website of the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office. Not only was the French version of the site not equivalent to the English version, it also had sections in English. We contacted the manager of the organization, …
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A French-speaking woman sought our help after she encountered difficulties with the website of the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office.
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.
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 …
