Ministry overview

Mandate

The Office of Francophone Affairs’ mandate is to oversee the application of the French Language Services Act (FLSA), work with ministries and agencies to ensure that the needs and interests of the Franco-Ontarian community are taken into account in public policies and programs, and to facilitate the participation of the Franco-Ontarian community in government-related initiatives.

As steward of the FLSA and main advisor of the Government on Francophone Affairs and French-language services, the Office of Francophone Affairs:

  • Oversees the application of the FLSA and works with ministries and agencies to ensure that French-language services are available to the public in designated areas of the province;
  • Leads the French-language services implementation planning process in newly designated areas and makes recommendations with respect to the designation of new areas and agencies under the FLSA;
  • Provides expert strategic and operational advice to ministries and agencies and develops resources to support them in their efforts to offer and deliver accessible and high-quality services;
  • Promotes Francophone affairs inside government and partners with key ministries on policy and program initiatives to foster the participation and added value of the Francophone community in the prosperity of the province;
  • Reaches out to the Francophone community and raises the profile of government initiatives that improve the lives of Francophone citizens; and
  • Liaises with other jurisdictions on matters relating to the Francophonie and enhances the profile of the Province, at both the national and international levels.

Legislation

French Language Services Act
Franco-Ontarian Day Act

Ministry organization chart

  • Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
    • Paul Genest, Deputy Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
      • Kelly Burke, Assistant Deputy Minister
        • Vacant, Director
        • Charles Jean Sucsan, Director

Ministry Contribution to Priorities and Results

The following strategies outline the key activities of the Office of Francophone Affairs in 2014-15:

Key strategy 1: modernizing French-language services

Building capacity of French-language services
  • Facilitate implementation of the analytical framework for reviewing requests for designation of new areas under the FLSA and lead the analysis of four (Niagara, Oshawa, Waterloo and York) such requests.
  • Develop and share new resources to support the implementation of French-language services by ministries and agencies of the Government of Ontario.
  • Continue to coordinate the implementation of the regulation on third-parties that deliver services on behalf of government agencies with the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) Steering Committee and Inter-ministerial Policy Working Group.
  • Develop new resources to support government agencies throughout the implementation of the regulation on third parties that deliver French-language services on behalf of a government agency.
  • Roll-out a French-Language Services (FLS) communication strategy for the new policy regarding designated bilingual positions in the Ontario Public Service (OPS).
  • Implement the new framework for designating and evaluating public-service agencies under the FLSA.
  • Develop an “FLS Lens” on-line resource to help ministries integrate the requirements of the FLSA into new policies and programs.
  • Update the schedule of designated areas in order to reflect the amalgamation of municipalities.
  • Coordinate projects funded under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services.
  • Analyze 2011 Census data and generate statistical profiles on the province’s Franco-Ontarian population.
  • Report on the implementation of the French Communications Directive, including online training sessions for all OPS communications employees, and one-on-one training for communications directors and senior managers.
  • Launch and promote the 2015 Ontario Francophonie Awards to recognize Francophones and Francophiles who have made an outstanding contribution to the social, economic, political and cultural vitality and well-being of Ontario’s Francophone community.
  • Implement the Province’s three-year plan to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Francophone presence in Ontario.
  • Complete the evaluation of the structures and processes designed to support French-language services in the Government of Ontario.
Accountability for results
  • Continue to work with ministries to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach to the planning and delivery of quality French-language services and the measurement of results through the Results-based Planning process and the coordination of the Inter-ministerial French-language services Performance Measurement Committee’s activities.
  • Support the work of the Minister’s Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs.
  • Coordinate the Ontario Government’s response to reports and recommendations of the French Language Services Commissioner and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Community of practice for excellence in French-language services
  • Promote the creation of a community of practice for excellence in French-language services through the OPS French Language Services Awards of Excellence and professional development opportunities for bilingual professionals.

Key strategy 2: promoting Ontario’s visibility in Francophone affairs

Provincial and inter-provincial levels
  • Continue to strengthen Ontario’s leadership role on Francophone affairs at the federal-provincial-territorial level through active participation in the activities leading up to the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.
National and international levels
  • Liaise with other jurisdictions on matters relating to the Francophonie and enhance the profile of the Province, at both the national and international levels.

Key strategy 3: contributing to a stronger Francophone community

Leverage key government initiatives
  • Work with ministries on the development of French-language services for the Franco-Ontarian community with a primary focus on areas such as health care, community and social services, immigration, economic development, education, and labour market development and training:
    • Health – Monitor the progress and involvement of French-Language Health Planning Entities capacity of health providers to deliver FLS;
    • Training, Colleges and Universities – Analyze designation requests from post-secondary institutions under the French Language Services Act;
    • Post-secondary education – Monitor the work of the Advisory Committee on French-language postsecondary education to implement the Action Plan for Post-Secondary Education in the Central and Southwestern regions;
    • Community and Social Services – Support the implementation of services for Francophone women under the Government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan and the Sexual Violence Action Plan;
    • Education – Support planning of French-language services within the implementation of the Full Day Kindergarten Program initiative;
    • Immigration – Support the implementation of Ontario’s new immigration strategy, particularly the component targeting French-speaking newcomers;
    • Northern Development – Ensure the implementation of the Northern Ontario Growth Plan is inclusive of Franco-Ontarians, and in keeping with the letter and spirit of the FLSA;
    • Tourism – Ensure regional tourism organizations (RTOs) are inclusive of Francophones, and operate according to the FLS requirements contained in the transfer payment agreements; and ensure overall government participation in the 400th anniversary commemoration;
    • Economic Development – Promote the value of the Francophone factor in Ontario’s economic sector, including the contribution of French-speaking economic immigrants;
    • French Language Services Commissioner – Coordinate the Government’s responses to the Commissioner’s recommendations and finalise the transition of this office to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario;
    • Justice – Support the work of the FLS Bench and Bar Steering Committee to implement the recommendations of the “Access to Justice in French” 2012 report.
Capacity building initiatives – community development and outreach
  • Pan/Parapan-American Games – Ensure the visibility of the Franco-Ontarian culture, as well as the integration of FLS, during the games.

Key strategy 4: 400th anniversary of French presence in Ontario

  • Coordinate the efforts of the 400th Anniversary Provincial Steering Committee – Lead the 400th Anniversary Provincial Steering Committee, convened by the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. The key stakeholders include the educational/tourism sectors, the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario, and municipal government associations.

Highlights Of 2013-14 achievements

The following outlines the Office of Francophone Affairs’ highlights of 2013-14 Achievements:

  • Independent French Language Services Commissioner: amendment to the French Language Services Act to make the Commissioner an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. The Commissioner now reports to the Legislative Assembly rather than to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
  • Designation of Collège de Hearst (Université de Hearst) and of La Cité collégiale under the French Language Services Act.
  • Published media habit study of Franco-Ontarians.
  • With HR Ontario, implemented new OPS French proficiency levels.
  • Negotiated a new five year Canada-Ontario Agreement on French Language Services (2013 to 2018) with Canadian Heritage.
  • Received a new request from York region for designation under the FLSA; OFA has initiated preliminary discussions with local Franco-Ontarian stakeholders regarding the analytical framework for new and existing requests for designation of regions.

Agencies, boards and commissions

Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner*

* Effective January 1, 2014, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner was transferred to the Board of Internal Economy

Ministry financial information

Table 1: ministry planned expenditures 2014-15

Operating $ 4.1201 M
Capital -
Total $ 4.1201 M

Detailed financial information

Francophone affairs co-ordination

The Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) advises the Ontario Government on matters concerning Francophone affairs and the provision of French-language services. It fosters the Franco-Ontarian community’s participation in the society while supporting its language and culture. The OFA transfers federal funding to other ministries and agencies for projects that are funded under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services.

The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner investigates compliance with the FLSA, reports on results of investigations and monitors progress of Government Agencies in providing French-language services. (Note: Effective January 1, 2014 the French Language Services Commissioner was transferred to Board of Internal Economy, therefore, the program’s operating budget no longer resides with the Office of Francophone Affairs).

Table 2: Operating Summary by Vote

Votes/Programs Estimates
2014-15
$		 Change from
2013-14
Estimates
$		 Change
%		 Estimates
2013-14
$		 Interim Actuals
2013-14*
$		 Actuals
2012-13
$
Operating Expense
Francophone Affairs Program** 4,120,100 - - 4,120,100 4,120,100 4,149,452
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner*** - (869,100) (100.0)% 869,100 698,500 833,606
Less: Special Warrants 849,000 849,000 - - - -
Total Operating Expenses to be Voted 3,271,100 (1,718,100) (34.4)% 4,989,200 4,818,600 4,983,058
Special Warrants 849,000 849,000 - - - -
Total Operating Expense 4,120,100 (869,000) (17.4)% 4,989,200 4,818,600 4,983,058
Statutory Appropriations -- -- -- -- -- --
Ministry Total
Operating		 4,120,100 (869,000) (17.4)% 4,989,200 4,818,600 4,983,058

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2014 Ontario Budget.

** Estimates include $1.4M in Federal Funding.

*** Transferred to Board of Internal Economy

Appendix:
Annual Report 2013-14

The following outlines the Office of Francophone Affairs’ major accomplishments in delivering on key priorities:

Key strategy 1: modernizing French-language services

  • Independent French Language Services Commissioner: the government amended the French Language Services Act to make the Commissioner an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. The Commissioner now reports to the Legislative Assembly rather than to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
  • Ongoing implementation of the third party regulation to ensure ministries and other government agencies (as per the definition in the FLSA), are in compliance with the FLSA when French-language services are delivered by third parties on their behalf.
  • Designation of Collège de Hearst (Université de Hearst) and of La Cité collégiale under the French Language Services Act. In all, the following designations were approved in 2013-2014:
    • Five new agencies;
    • Three existing designated agencies amalgamated into one (which was renamed);
    • Three existing designated agencies changed their names.
  • In collaboration with ministry partners and Franco-Ontarian community stakeholders, OFA modernized the process for designating and evaluating agencies under the French Language Services Act.
  • Worked with line ministries to ensure a coordinated response to the French Language Commissioner’s sixth annual report and provided the FLS Commissioner with information requested in the preparation of the seventh annual report.
  • Published media habit study of Franco-Ontarians.
  • With HR Ontario, implemented new OPS French proficiency levels.
  • Negotiated a new five year Canada-Ontario Agreement on French Language Services (2013 to 2018).
  • Managed the Canada-Ontario Agreement on FLS on behalf of ministries. This entailed leading the project submission/selection process, coordinating ministries’ activities and funding transfers, and ongoing liaison with the Federal government, to ensure reporting requirements were being met. In all, 43 projects were selected and will be supported over the next five years.
  • Continued to implement the new and more inclusive definition of “Francophone”.
  • Received a new request from York region for designation under the FLSA; OFA has initiated preliminary discussions with local Franco-Ontarian stakeholders regarding the analytical framework for new and existing requests for designation of regions.
  • The Office of Francophone Affairs continues to work with Cabinet Office Communications on the ongoing implementation of the new guidelines for communications in French. These guidelines were reinforced by an official government directive adopted by Treasury Board / Management Board of Cabinet (TB/MBC) in May 2010. This standardizes OPS-wide practices with respect to external communications in French and ensures a consistent approach on the part of current and future employees of the OPS.

Key strategy 2: promoting Ontario’s visibility in Francophone affairs

  • Continued to coordinate Ontario’s participation in the Francophone Affairs component of the Ontario-Québec Agreement.
  • Supported Ontario’s participation at the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.
  • Coordinated an Inter-ministerial delegation to the 19th Montreal Conference, an international forum on economic globalization.

Key strategy 3: contributing to a stronger Franco-Ontarian community

Worked closely with ministries in support of key initiatives in education, labour market development and training, health, immigration and the prevention of violence against women:

  • Education - Worked with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the implementation of the Full Day Kindergarten Program reflects and accommodates the specific needs and reality of the Franco-Ontarian community;
  • French-language Postsecondary Education - Supported the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities on the launch of the Action Plan for French-language post-secondary education in the Central and Southwestern regions.
  • Immigration – Provided advice regarding new legislation on the Ontario Immigration Act, and the province’s Immigration Strategy which sets a 5 per cent goal for Francophone newcomers;

Table 3: ministry interim actual expenditures 2013-14

  Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures 2013-14*
Operating $ 4.8186 M
Capital -
Staff Strength **
(as of March 31, 2014)		 20.1

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2014 Ontario Budget.

** Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions.