French Language Services

OFFICE CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS
– COMPLAINTS CAN BE FILED ONLINE –

Our office and phone lines are closed, but our staff are working from home and will do their best to respond to complaints filed via our online complaint form. Complaints about French language services can also be emailed to sf-fls@ombudsman.on.ca.

• Message from the Ombudsman
• Message from the Commissioner

News about French Language Services

• Statement by FLS Commissioner: Integrating the FLSC into the Office of the Ombudsman – Reviewing year one (May 1, 2020)

• Press Release: Ombudsman marks one year of oversight of French language services and children and youth in care (May 1, 2020)

• Message from FLS Commissioner on the availability of French language services during the COVID-19 state of emergency (April 17, 2020)

• Statement by FLS Commissioner: Commissioner Kelly Burke reinforces the importance of French Language Services on 50th International Francophonie Day (March 20, 2020)

• Statement by FLS Commissioner: Availability of French-Language services essential during coronavirus pandemic says French Language Commissioner (March 13, 2020)

• Statement by FLS Commissioner: Joint funding agreement for new French-language university in Ontario is “great news for the francophone community” says Commissioner Burke (January 23, 2020)

• Press Conference: Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé and Commissioner Kelly Burke at their Queen’s Park Press Conference (January 15, 2020). 

  • Watch the press conference

  • Access the video transcript (accessible PDF - Bilingual)

  • Read more about the Commissioner

• Press Release: Ombudsman appoints Kelly Burke as new French Language Services Commissioner (January 13, 2020)

• Press Release: Ontario Ombudsman launches nationwide search for French Language Services Commissioner (August 15, 2019)

• Press Release: Ombudsman can now take complaints about children’s aid societies and French Language Services (May 1, 2019)

Overview

Under legislative changes that came into effect on May 1, 2019, the position of the French Language Services Commissioner was eliminated and all of his responsibilities were transferred to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman now has a French Language Services Commissioner at the Deputy Ombudsman level, and a dedicated unit within our office for this work.

The Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and powers of investigation now include ensuring that the rights of Ontarians and the obligations of government agencies are respected according to the French Language Services Act.

 

Contacts

French Language Services Unit
483 Bay Street
10th floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2C9

• Toll-free (inside Ontario only): 1 866 246-5262

• Telephone: 416-847-1515

• TTY (teletypewriter): 1-866-411-4211

• Fax: 416-586-3485

• Email: sf-fls@ombudsman.on.ca

• Online complaint form

We can

• Review and investigate unresolved complaints and investigate systemic issues, report publicly and make recommendations to the government regarding the provision of French language services, to promote compliance with the French Language Services Act.

We cannot

• Take complaints about:

  • Private companies or individuals

• Overturn decisions of elected officials or direct them on public policy

Investigations and case summaries

• Case summaries

Other resources

• Archives - French Language Services