New designation process is part of provincial government's French Language Services Strategy
The Ontario government has introduced a new process for organizations seeking to become a designated provider of French-language services under the French Language Services Act.
According to the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, the new designation process is part of the provincial government’s French Language Services Strategy to improve access to and quality of French-language services across Ontario. The designation process has been in place since 1994 to assist the government in ensuring every francophone’s access to government services.
In particular, the new designation process will streamline the requirements for organizations to become a designated provider of French-language services and establish a shorter processing timeframe of less than 12 months.
“We congratulate the government for digitizing and reducing the wait time of the designation process under the French Language Services Act as part of its language reform,” said Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario President Carol Jolin. “Digitizing the system will modernize the process and allow the government and citizens to have much more accurate lists of designated organizations in the medium term.”
The new designation process will also introduce a new online platform allowing organizations to complete their applications in digital format.
“The new designation process and online new online platform will support organizations in their central and key role as providers of high-quality French-language services,” Francophone Affairs Minister Caroline Mulroney said. “We are not only reducing administrative burden, but also reducing barriers to build a stronger Ontario.”
