Summary

Ontario’s Francophone community is growing and changing. It is now more dynamic and diverse than ever. The Francophonie is a highly valuable asset for Ontario. The province plans to preserve and showcase it by creating favourable conditions that will foster the well-being and social, cultural and economic development of Franco-Ontarians.

The Ministry of Francophone Affairs acts as steward of the French Language Services Act (FLSA) and main advisor of the government on Francophone affairs and French-language services to ensure Franco-Ontarians receive government services in French, so they can participate in the social, economic and political life of the province while maintaining their linguistic and cultural heritage.

The ministry:

  • Leads the implementation of the French-language services legislative and regulatory framework, including the modernized FLSA and the regulation on active offer.
  • Works with ministries to ensure that French-language services are available to the public in designated areas of the province.
  • Provides expert advice to provincial government ministries and classified agencies in their efforts to deliver accessible, high-quality French-language services and to ensure that policies and programs meet the needs of Francophones and align with the government’s responsibilities under the FLSA.
  • Makes recommendations with respect to the designation of new areas and agencies, and coordinates the implementation of French-language services in newly designated areas.
  • Promotes Francophone affairs inside government and partners with key ministries on policy and program initiatives to contribute to a stronger Francophone community, including Francophone economic development.
  • Engages with the province’s Francophone community and facilitates the full participation of Francophones in contributing to Ontario’s prosperity.
  • Works with other jurisdictions to promote Ontario’s Francophonie and enhances the province’s profile at both national and international levels.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgram

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1301Francophone Affairs Program13,255,7007,730,6005,525,1007,699,069
 Total operating expense to be voted13,255,7007,730,6005,525,1007,699,069
 Statutory appropriations16,17316,173-33,334
 Ministry total operating expense13,271,8737,746,7735,525,1007,732,403

Capital expense

1301Francophone Affairs Program1,0001,000--
 Total capital expense to be voted1,0001,000--
 Ministry Total Capital Expense1,0001,000--
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)13,272,8737,747,7735,525,1007,732,403

Francophone Affairs Program - Vote 1301

The ministry provides advice to the Ontario government on matters concerning Francophone affairs and the provision of French-language services. The ministry’s primary program consists of:

  • Working in collaboration with ministries and agencies and the French Language Services Commissioner to ensure effective French-language services delivery across the province.
  • Developing and implementing tools such as the Francophone Lens to help ensure that these services are planned for at the earliest stages of policy and program development.
  • Making recommendations for the designation of new areas and agencies under the FLSA, and coordinating the implementation of services in newly designated areas.
  • Analyzing Census data and generating statistical profiles on the province’s Franco-Ontarian population.
  • Coordinating the transfer of federal funding to other ministries and agencies for projects and initiatives funded under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French Language Services.
  • Managing the Francophone Community Grants Program and the Ontario-Québec Cooperation and Exchange Agreement with Respect to the Francophonie.
  • Working with partner ministries, Ontario-based francophone businesses, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises within Ontario, and jurisdictions within and outside Canada, to stimulate Francophone economic development, and ensuring Ontario’s participation in national and international bodies, including the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie and the International Organization of La Francophonie.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1Francophone Affairs Co-ordination13,255,7007,730,6005,525,1007,699,069
 Total operating expense to be voted13,255,7007,730,6005,525,1007,699,069
SParliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act16,17316,173-33,334
 Total statutory appropriations16,17316,173-33,334
 Total operating expense13,271,8737,746,7735,525,1007,732,403

Capital expense

2Francophone Affairs Program1,0001,000--
 Total capital expense to be voted1,0001,000--
 Total capital expense1,0001,000--

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $

Operating expense

1301-1Francophone Affairs Co-ordination  
 

Salaries and wages

 3,091,100
 

Employee benefits

 336,200
 

Transportation and communication

 135,500
 

Services

 6,507,900
 

Supplies and equipment

 85,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Ontario-Quebec Agreement

300,000 
 

Support for Long-Term Francophone Economic Development

800,000 
 

Francophone Community Grants

2,000,0003,100,000
 Total operating expense to be voted 13,255,700
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Parliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act

 16,173
 Total operating expense for Francophone Affairs Program 13,271,873

Capital expense

1301-2Francophone Affairs Program  
 

Other transactions

  
 

Other Physical Assets

 1,000
 Total capital expense to be voted 1,000
 Total capital expense for Francophone Affairs Program 1,000