Success Stories 2008-2009

Ontario Licence Plates now Available with a French Motto
Designation of Collège Boréal
Study on Mechanisms of offer and the demand for French-Language Services in Ontario’s Justice Sector
Ontario.ca
French-Language Services at Justice Ontario
Awards of Excellence for Services in French
Consultation by the Office of Francophone Affairs for its Accent on Youth Strategy
Kingston French-Language Services Awareness Day

Ontario Licence Plates now Available with a French Motto
In May 2008, 26 years after Ontario adopted the English motto Yours to Discover, the Government of Ontario introduced a French motto, Tant à découvrir. Since its introduction, over 2,400 people have ordered French licence plates, mainly in eastern Ontario. This is both an excellent initiative on the part of the government and a symbolic gesture of recognition of Franco-Ontarians.

Designation of Collège Boréal
In May 2008, the provincial government granted Collège Boréal (French only) designation, making this French-language post-secondaryinstitution of learning the first representative of theeducation sector to be officially designated under the French Language Services Act. This college of applied artsand technology now delivers French-language trainingprograms as well as employment services on behalf of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. In designating Collège Boréal, the Government of Ontario has legallyrecognized the College’s efforts to provide the Francophonecommunity with adequate service in the future.

Founded in 1995, Collège Boréal delivers training programs as well as employment services to French-language communities in Northern and Central-Southwestern Ontario.

Study on Mechanisms of offer and the demand for French-Language Services in Ontario’s Justice Sector
The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General funded a study in cooperation with the Department of Justice Canada, on the demand for and delivery of French-language services in Ontario’s justice sector. Conducted by the University of Ottawa’s Research Chair in Canadian Francophonie, this research project will identify the services that are best adapted to Francophones and determine which factors encourage or limit the demand for French-language services in the justice sector. The data from the study will be used to enhance the French-language service offer in Ontario’s justice sector.

Ontario.ca
The Government of Ontario started the year 2009 with a brand-new website. Ontario.ca is simpler and leaner; it contains dedicated sections for Francophones and for other groups as well, including Aboriginal People and Seniors. The new interface makes it easier to navigate the website and to find useful, relevant information on the services that are available to Francophones, the important role of Francophone communities in the life of the province, and their efforts to preserve their language and culture.

French-Language Services at Justice Ontario
In February 2009, the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General developed a new section on French-language services on the Justice Ontario website. This website contains information for Francophones on their rights in the area of French-language justice services across the province. It contains a directory of government offices offering justice services in French in Ontario and key French-language stakeholders in the justice sector. It is easy to access: just click on the Franco-Ontarian flag.

Awards of Excellence for Services in French
In 2006, the Government of Ontario created the Awards of Excellence for Services in French. Every two years, these awards honour members of the Ontario Public Service who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional work, dedication and contribution to the delivery of French-language services to the public. These awards highlight their commitment to implementing both the letter and the spirit of the French Language Services Act. Recipients in March 2009 received awards in four categories: Effective Practices and Innovation, Excellence in Service Quality, Outstanding Leadership, and Career Excellence.

Consultation by the Office of Francophone Affairs for its Accent on Youth Strategy
In September 2008, the Office of Francophone Affairs undertook an on-line consultation of young Francophones across Ontario to arrive at a better understanding of their relationship to the French language. Close to 400 young people completed the OFA’s on-line questionnaire, sharing their perceptions of bilingualism. The study reveals that 94% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 22 believe that being bilingual enhances their career prospects in Canada. Close to 500 other young Francophones then took part in regional forums led by the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne. The analysis that followed this consultation process led to the launch, in December 2008, of the Accent on Youth Strategy designed to promote the use of French by young Francophones through targeted activities to get them involved in their community.

Kingston French-Language Services Awareness Day
In October 2008, the Kingston Interministerial FLS Designation Planning Committee, chaired jointly by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the local ACFO, organized an event to raise awareness amongKingston-based public servants. French Language ServicesCoordinators, as well as human resources and customerservice professionals led notably workshops to the200 members of the Ontario Public Service. The day includedpresentations by the local Francophone community, theOffice of Francophone Affairs, and the Office of the FrenchLanguage Services Commissioner on the active offer concept,and strategies for delivering high-quality governmentservices in French.