Title: Understanding the French Language Services Act
1 Understanding the French Language Services
Act
- Ministry of Community and Social Services and
Ministry of Children and Youth ServicesDecember
7, 2007
2Objectives
- Raise awareness of the French Language Services
Act - Understand the requirements for Municipalities
and Transfer Payment Agencies - Gain understanding of the Francophone community
3French Language Services Act
- Section 5(1)
- A person has the right in accordance with
this Act to communicate in French with, and to
receive available services in French from, head
or central office of a government agency or
institution of the Legislature that is designated
by the regulation, and has the same right in
respect of any other office of such agency or
institution that is located in or serves an area
designated in the Schedule.
4French Language Services Act (FLS Act)
- The Act came into effect in November 1989.
- It guarantees access to Government of Ontario
services in French in designated areas of the
province. - Designated areas are those with a significant
Francophone population.
5Community Designation
- Significant Francophone population is generally
defined as 10 of the population is Francophone
or a population of 5000 Francophones - The French-Canadian Association of Ontario has
been asking for designation since 1993 - In May 2006, the Ontario government announced
Kingston would be the 25th designated community
6Designated Areas
There are 25 designated areas in the province
7Why Does Ontario Have the FLS Act?
- The French Language is an historic and honoured
language in Ontario and - An official language in Canada
- The act recognizes the contribution of the
cultural heritage of the French speaking
population and wishes to preserve it for future
generations
8FLS Clause in Child and Family Services Act
- Added to the Act in 1985
- FLS Clause Service providers shall, where
appropriate, make services to children and
families available in the French language.
9Does the FLS Act Apply to Municipalities and
Transfer Payment Agencies?
- A change in service delivery does not remove the
governments obligation to deliver
French-language services. Service providers must
demonstrate their capacity to meet the
governments requirements and quality standards
in terms of service delivery. - There is a difference between creating FLS
capacity and becoming a designated
agency/municipality.
10Does the FLS Act Apply to Municipalities and
Transfer Payment Agencies?
- MCSS/MCYS will work with TPAs and municipalities
in providing guiding principles to ensure that
FLS are available in designated areas - Municipalities are not required to become
bilingual, although individual municipalities may
pass a by-law to become bilingual - Transfer Payment Agencies are not required to
become designated, although they may choose to
become designated or partially designated
11Historical Francophone Presence in Ontario
- In 1610, Étienne Brûlé was the first European to
arrive in Ontario. In 1639, the Jesuit fathers
founded the mission of Sainte Marie south of
Georgian Bay. This was the first European
settlement in North America. - During the 17th and 18th centuries, several other
French settlements were established Fort
Frontenac (Kingston), LAssomption (Windsor) and
Fort Rouillé (near Toronto). - Following the withdrawal of France in 1763,
Francophones were divided with the creation of
Upper Canada and Lower Canada.
12Historical Francophone Presence in Kignston
- In 1673, Louis de Buade, the count of Frontenac
and governor of New France established Fort
Frontenac - In 1687 the Iroquois lay siege to Fort Frontenac
and held captive 3 soldiers and Madeleine de
Roybon - Rémi Gaulin was a prominent bishop in Kingston in
the 1800s. - The Sisters of St-Joseph founded Hotel Dieu and
Kingstons first orphanage - Chez Piggy Restaurant was the home of
François-Xavier, built in 1808 - Portsmouth Tavern was constructed by Edouard
Beaupré as an inn in 1863
13Profile of Francophones in Ontario
- 1.3 million French speaking citizens
- According to the 2001 Census, over 550 000
Francophones live in Ontario which is 4.4 of the
overall population
14Profile of Francophones in SER
- According to the 2001 Census, there were 13,080
Francophones in the South East Region - 4570 in Kingston and Frontenac
- 2880 in Hastings
- 2595 in Leeds and Grenville
- 2010 in Lanark
- 1025 in Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington
15Implications for Municipalities and Transfer
Payment Agencies
- It is the legal obligation of the government of
Ontario to provide services in French in
designated areas - The designation of Kingston means that there is a
significant Francophone population in this
community - As agencies plan and provide services that meet
the needs of their community, they are expected
to enhance their French Language Services
capacity and this will be included in their
service contract negotiations.
16Next Steps
- Community Forum
- SER FLS Service Inventory
- Contract Negotiations
- Strategic Planning
- Shared Solutions
17Contacts
- Ministry of Community and Social Services and
Ministry of Children and Youth Services - Rachelle Blanchette
- French Language Program Supervisor
- 11 Beechgrove Lane, Kingston, ON K7M 9A6
- Tel. (613) 536-7331 E-mail Rachelle.Blanchette_at_
ontario.ca - Ministry of Children and Youth Services Youth
Justice Division - Lesley Benderavage
- Program Supervisor
- 23 Beechgrove Lane, Kingston, ON K7M 9A6
- Tel. (613) 536-7348 E-mail
Lesley.Benderavage_at_ontario.ca