French Language Services Commissioner

I’m a little bit perplexed regarding the comments made by federal MP Bernier on the abolition of the mandatory long-form census. From my point of view, by abolishing the mandatory aspect of the survey, we are losing confidence in knowing who we really are based on reliable data. Without this information, we’re left with a basic survey with large margins of error. We should require exact, precise, and essential data.

Furthermore, without the mandatory long-form analysis, members of multicultural francophone communities, as well as new comers won’t know important information about their population, such as how many people there are, where they live and therefore how to develop policies and services that best serve the needs of these different groups within the francophone community.

With the multiple reactions to the issue of the mandatory long-form census, here’s my letter to the editor that some newsparers have already published.

Recently, we have been hearing more and more in the news about the Province’s new eco tax (displayed on receipts for designated products as an environmental fee), which was put in place July 1st of this year. With so many questions about the new fee, many Ontarians, including Francophones, are being directed to the organization responsible for the fee, Stewardship Ontario, for further information, only to find that it’s only provided in English.

I have already expressed my concern regarding a similar program in my most recent Annual Report. As I stated, the Ministry of the Environment has the capacity to intervene in this issue and the responsibility to ensure that these organizations serve the francophone community. I will now be including the more recent complaints regarding Stewardship Ontario in my ongoing investigations and will be working with the Ministry to ensure the availability of services in French, as indicated in the FLSA .

Good news, I finally got the confirmation that we will be adding a pernament position at the Office.  That’s a 20% hike in staffing… With one complaint per day, on average, you must be thinking that this position is a new investigator.  The posting will be done soon.  This is with without a doubt, excellent news for the Office. I don’t want to be demanding, but the entire team would certainly profit from a seventh person here.  Let’s hope that by the next fall, I will be heard.

Now, news that brings me joy, happiness but also sorrow at the same time. Marie-Eve Pépin, our communications and public relations officer, will be leaving us shortly for a new position at Collège Boréal in Sudbury. I take this opportunity to publicly thank her for her tremendous contribution, professionalism and her knowledge.  On a personal note, the entire team will miss her leadership, her radiant smile, and all the energy that she brings to the Office.

So, keep your eyes opened, as two positions will become available soon on the Government of Ontario’s website.

Surely you all remember the unilingual English flyer on H1N1 that was sent to every household back in automn 2009? It appears clear that the Government has learned its lesson. Last week, I received at home a completely bilingual flyer from the Government of Ontario on the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). You have to admit, it is pleasant to receive this bilingual document, everywhere (I suppose) in Ontario. It is much simpler for the Government to handle while the letter and the intent of the French Language Services Act is respected and that Francophone citizens can take heart in the respect of the status of French in this province.