French Language Services Act

The Act, however, ensures that provincial government services are offered in French in 26 designated areas across the province with significant numbers of Franco-Ontarian residents.

However, it was not until 1968 that the provincial government amended the Education Act to officially recognize the existence of French language schools in the province.

The primary purpose of the Act was to consolidate and formalize government policies and regulations around the provision of French language services.

The Act guaranteed francophones in 26 designated areas of the province a right to local French services from the provincial government.

The French Language Services Act does not cover public agencies such as hospitals, nursing homes or the Children's Aid Society.

The Act was introduced in 1986 by Bernard Grandmaître, Minister of Francophone Affairs in the Liberal government of David Peterson, and passed successfully.

[10][11] 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’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.

[17] The Act was controversial with anti-bilingualism advocates such as the Alliance for the Preservation of English in Canada, who alleged that it created a special entitlement for francophones at the expense of anglophone residents of the province as the requirement to provide bilingual services was perceived to discriminate against government employees who did not speak French.

On November 18, 1996, New Democrat MPP Gilles Bisson spoke in French in the Legislative Assembly to mark the 10th anniversary of the Act's passage.