French language services

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French language government services 

French is an official language in Ontario. The French Language Services Act (FLSA) of 1986 recognizes the cultural contribution of Ontario’s French-speaking population and the need to preserve this heritage for future generations.

The act stipulates that services provided by Government of Ontario ministries and agencies be available in French in 26 designated areas, including cities, townships, counties and municipalities. These locations are home to a large number of Ontario’s French-speaking residents. See the Government services in French website for full information on these areas and for a list of agencies that provide services in French.

In 2021, the city of Ottawa enacted a Bilingualism Policy which committed that all city services be provided in both English and French. 

For more information about government services in Ontario, visit Ontario.ca. Also find information about travel-related services, such as buying a hunting or fishing card, information about provincial parks and camping and other travel activities.

 

Getting here and around

All international and domestic airlines and airports in Ontario are bilingual.

You’ll also find French language services provided by most transportation companies such as:

• VIA Rail
• GO Transit
• Ontario Northland
• Coach Canada
• TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)

 

French language media

Newspapers (print and digital)

A wide range of Francophone and French-language newspapers are available in print and digital formats:

• Le Droit is a daily French language newspaper published in Ottawa-Gatineau
• for visitors to Toronto, L’Express is a Toronto-based newspaper and Grand Toronto lists French-language events in the city
• the weekly Le Régional covers Hamilton, Niagara and Waterloo-Wellington
• L’Action is based in London and Le Métropolitain is published in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• in the north, Journal La Voyageur is Sudbury’s Francophone newspaper and Journal Le Nord is the local paper in Hearst
• ONFR+ is an online newspaper and the digital platform of TFO (Télévision française de l'Ontario), for Francophones in Ontario

 

Television

Ontario has three main French-language television stations:

• Télévision française de l’Ontario (TFO)
• ICI Radio-Canada Télé
• TV5 Unis 

 

Radio

There are many French-language national, provincial and community radio stations, including:

• Radio-Canada in the north and Ottawa-Gatineau
• Radio-Canada ICI Première
• ICI Musique (the French-language music radio service of the CBC)
• CINN 91.1 FM in Hearst
• CKGN 89.7 and 94.7 FM in Kapuskasing
• CFRH 88.1 FM in Penetanguishene
• CHOQ 105.1 FM in Toronto
• CHOD 92.1 FM in Cornwall
• CJFO 94.5 FM in Ottawa

 

French language service classification

A classification system identifies the various types and levels of service offered in French. Throughout the province, look for the Classification nationale des services en francais logos:

= service in French at all times

= service in French upon request

= promotional items and/or documentation in French

 

Additional Francophone resources 

Here’s a useful list of resources for more information about Francophone and French-language services in Ontario:

• Ministry of Francophone Affairs
• NorthernOntario.travel
• Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO)
• Route Champlain
• Salut Canada
• Virtual Museum of Franco-Ontarian Heritage
• Virtual Museum of New France
• Ontario Heritage Trust
• Ontario Museum Association

 

Discover a wide range of Francophone experiences and things to see and do in Ontario.