How it works

You can get services in French from all ministries of the provincial government. It’s your right under the French Language Services Act.

This includes things like getting a driver’s licence or birth certificate. If you need information about a government program, you can get that in French too.

To get these services and information in French, you’ll go to a government office in – or near – an area where Francophones make up at least 10% of the population. A city must have at least 5,000 Francophones. These are called designated areas.

Find a designated area

Designated areas in Ontario are shown on this map and are also listed below (Updated map coming soon) :

  • City of Toronto – all
  • City of Hamilton – as boundaries existed on Dec. 31, 2000
  • Cities of Port Colborne and Welland in Regional Municipality of Niagara
  • City of Ottawa – all
  • Cities of Mississauga and Brampton – Regional Municipality of Peel
  • Sudbury – city and greater Sudbury area
  • Township of Winchester – Dundas County
  • Essex County:
    • City of Windsor
    • Towns of Belle River and Tecumseh
    • Townships of Anderdon, Colchester North, Maidstone, Sandwich South, Sandwich West, Tilbury North, Tilbury West and Rochester
  • Glengarry County – all
  • Kent County:
    • Town of Tilbury
    • Townships of Dover and Tilbury East
  • Prescott County – all
  • Renfrew County:
    • City of Pembroke
    • Townships of Stafford and Westmeath
  • Russell County – all
  • Simcoe County
    • Town of Penetanguishene
    • Townships of Tiny and Essa
  • Stormont County – all
  • District of Algoma – all
  • District of Cochrane – all
  • Township of Ignace in District of Kenora
  • District of Nipissing – all
  • District of Sudbury – all
  • District of Thunder Bay
    • Towns of Geraldton, Longlac and Marathon
    • Townships of Manitouwadge, Beardmore, Nakina and Terrace Bay
  • District of Timiskaming – all
  • City of London
  • Municipality of Callander in District of Parry Sound
  • City of Kingston
  • City of Markham in Regional Municipality of York
  • County of Lambton, City of Sarnia

Roughly 80% of Ontario’s Francophone population live in the designated areas. There are more than 622,000 Francophones living in Ontario.

If you need to go to a municipal office, keep in mind the law does not require them to provide services or information in French.

Some municipalities may help deliver provincial services. Don’t hesitate to inquire if they offer services in French.

Designated agencies

Government agencies also do work on behalf of ministries. You can get services in French from many of these agencies too.

All agencies (such as hospitals, children’s aid societies, seniors’ residences) do not have to provide services in French by law. But many agencies decide to seek a designation under the French Language Services Act.

You can receive services in French from more than 250 designated agencies. Read the list of designated agencies.

When you go to a designated agency

When you go to any one of these agencies you will receive a high level of service in French.

That’s because a designated agency must:

  • ensure that quality services in French are available on a permanent and continuous basis
  • guarantee access to services and follow the principle of active offer
  • put in place governance and accountability mechanisms for French-language services

Every three years, designated agencies are evaluated on their ability to continue to offer the same level of service as at the time of designation.

If you work for an agency

Agencies can apply to become designated providers of French-language services.

Learn how to submit an application for your organization.

Filing a complaint

If you feel an Ontario government ministry or agency has not given you adequate French-language service, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman’s office

You can contact the Ombudsman’s French Language Services Unit at sf-fls@ombudsman.on.ca or by calling 416-847-1515.

Remember: it’s your right to receive services from the provincial government in French. You also have the right to let us know when improvement is needed.

Investigating complaints

The French Language Services Commissioner is under the authority of the Ontario Ombudsman’s office. The Commissioner’s mandate is to investigate complaints relating to the French Language Services Act, conduct investigations to ensure compliance with the Act and report the findings in an annual report tabled in the Legislative Assembly.