Provincial government expanding French services in eastern Ontario

The Service Ontario office in Arnprior, Ont. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

The Ontario government says it is increasing access to provincial services in French in six areas across the province, including Renfrew County and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

This expansion, announced Tuesday, will require provincial agencies and partner organizations in these regions to offer their services in French to residents after an implementation period.

The province says full implementation is underway, following a transition period during which ministries, agencies, and third-party service providers are strengthening their capacity to deliver French-language services equivalent in quality to those offered in English.

The Ministry of Francophone Affairs says the expansion of designated areas will officially take effect on Jan. 1, 2029, to allow ministries, agencies, and service providers time to strengthen their capacity to deliver French-language services across the expanded areas.

“The expansion of government services in French in six communities across Ontario will help thousands more Francophone residents access the services they need, in their language of choice,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “Marking the anniversary of the modernization of the French Language Services Act with this new milestone reflects the progress we have achieved to strengthen our Francophone communities now and into the future.”

Services will also be offered in French in Essex County, Hamilton, Chatham-Kent, and Thunder Bay.

Under the French Language Services Act, the Ontario government is required to offer provincial services in French in designated areas where the majority of Ontario’s Francophone population lives.

“Expanding the designated areas will ensure Francophones can continue to receive key services in French, including accessing certain justice and social services, as well as business resources,” the government says.

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