FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 October 2026

French-language services are a right, not a favour — stop the excuses and fix ServiceOntario now

OTTAWA, ON — The Ontario Liberals are calling on Doug Ford’s government to address serious shortcomings at ServiceOntario after an investigation revealed that 12 offices responsible for providing services in French had no bilingual staff.

Ontario’s French Language Services Commissioner, Carl Bouchard, published his report entitled In Search of Services in French on October 15. The investigation revealed confusion regarding legal obligations, gaps in training and inadequate oversight of ServiceOntario offices operated by private companies. Some offices passed the audits, even though they were not meeting their obligations regarding French-language services.

People seeking essential government services reported being asked to return on another day, to communicate using gestures, or to read out personal and confidential information aloud at the counter.

“Francophones in Ontario should not have to return to ServiceOntario because the French-language services to which they are entitled are not available. Francophones need their health cards and driving licences just as much as Anglophones do,” said Lucille Collard, Liberal MPP for Ottawa–Vanier and spokesperson for Francophone Affairs. “It is up to the government to ensure they can obtain them. Services in French are a right, not a favour.”

The Ministry of Public and Business Services and Procurement and the Ministry of Francophone Affairs have accepted 18 of the Commissioner’s 25 recommendations and have committed to reviewing the remaining issues and recommendations.

The Ontario Liberals are calling on the Ford government to:

Ensure the availability of bilingual staff. Fill vacant posts in all ServiceOntario offices responsible for providing services in French so that these services are always available.

Enforce the rules among private operators. Set out clear requirements, train staff, monitor compliance with the rules and require corrective action where requirements are not met.

Accept and implement all 25 recommendations. Set deadlines and publish regular progress reports, including a clear response from the government on the seven recommendations that have not yet been accepted.

“Doug Ford can outsource government services, but he cannot outsource his responsibility to respect the law in serving Francophones in their language,” said Stephen Blais, Ontario Liberal MPP for Orléans. “A passing audit means nothing if Francophones still cannot be served.”

These findings once again raise questions about the Ford government’s track record regarding Francophone institutions. In 2018, the government passed legislation abolishing the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner as an independent body. On 1 May 2019, its responsibilities were transferred to the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman. The Commissioner now carries out his duties within this independent office.

In 2018, the government also put the French University of Ontario project on hold, before reversing its decision and agreeing to fund the university jointly with the federal government.

“Doug Ford must tell Franco-Ontarians when these issues will be resolved. He must put the necessary staff in place, ensure the rules are followed and report publicly on the changes made.” added John Fraser, interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and MPP for Ottawa South. “Franco-Ontarians should not have to fight their own government to obtain the services to which they are entitled. The Ontario Liberals will always stand with the Franco-Ontarian community.”

The Ontario Liberals are calling on the government to explain when these serious problems at ServiceOntario will be resolved and what concrete measures it will take to ensure that Francophones can access services in French at all times.

Ontario Liberal Party

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