Receiving services in French is a legislated right of French-speaking children, youth, and families guaranteed by the French Language Services Act, 1990, and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.

Ontario is home to more than 620,000 Francophones, representing the largest French-speaking community in Canada outside of Quebec. We recognize the important role that the Francophone community has played in building this province, and that there was a need for special attention in our vulnerable communities. We acknowledge French-speaking families’ right to receive services in French, and our agency is actively offering equitable and inclusive services in French via interpreters and translators.

Offering French Language Services is part of our agency’s commitment to equity and to removing barriers to ensure all services are accessible and inclusive and to help ensure better outcomes for French-speaking children, youth, and families. Initiatives such as One vision One voice, LGBT2SQ+ initiatives, and Truth and Reconciliation commitments align with the fact that there is an intersection between all of these initiatives and the fact that Francophone children, youth and families living in Ontario are represented in these groups.

For additional resources for French-speaking families in Chatham-Kent, please visit: La Girouette.