French language services

Cette page est également disponible en français.

Ontario has adopted various measures recognizing the ways Francophone communities contribute to its culture, as well as the need to preserve Francophone heritage for future generations.

French language government services

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. You will also find information on travel and recreation services, such as buying a hunting or fishing licence, Ontario parks, camping and other travel activities.

Getting here and around

All international and domestic airlines and airports in Ontario provide services in French and English.

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)
• OC Transpo in Ottawa
• Union Pearson Express

Click here for a complete list of transportation services, including municipal, regional and private transportation services.

French language media

News media (print and digital) 

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

• Le Droit is a daily French language digital news site published in Ottawa-Gatineau
• If you’re visiting Toronto, L’Express is a French-language newspaper, and Grand Toronto offers a list of French-language activities taking place in the city.
• Le Métropolitain is published in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Le Régional covers Hamilton, Niagara and Kitchener-Waterloo, and L’Action is based in London.
• In eastern Ontario, L’Orléanais and Le Régional cover regional news. Agricom specializes in agricultural issues.
• Le Goût de vivre is published in Simcoe County, covering Midland, Penetanguishene, Lafontaine and Wasaga Beach.
• Le Voyageur is the French-language newspaper covering the north-east, while Le Nord is the local newspaper in Hearst. La Tribune, in West Nipissing, is a bilingual news site.
• ONFR is a digital news site, and TFO (Télévision française de l’Ontario)’s digital platform provides content for Franco-Ontarians.

Radio

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

• Radio-Canada ICI Première in Northern Ontario, Toronto, Windsor and Ottawa-Gatineau
• ICI Musique (French-language music channel)
• Le Loup FM in Sudbury and Northern Ontario
• CINN 91.1 FM in Hearst
• CKGN 89.7 and 94.7 FM in Kapuskasing and Smooth Rock Falls
• CFRH 88.1 FM in Penetanguishene
• CHOQ 105.1 FM in Toronto
• GO FM, CHOD 92.1 FM in Eastern Ontario
• Unique FM, CJFO 94.5 FM in Ottawa

Television

Ontario has three main French-language TV stations, available via basic cable:

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

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
• Northern Ontario
• Ottawa Tourism
• Prescott-Russell
• Prince Edward County
• Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO)
• Ontario Heritage Trust
• Ontario Museum Association

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