Proposed legislation aims to formalize long-standing practice and improve service delivery
The Ontario government is moving to require its provincial Ombudsman to be fully bilingual, introducing proposed legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of French-language services and improving access for the province’s Francophone population.
If passed, the amendment to the Ombudsman Act would make proficiency in both English and French a formal requirement for the role. The change is designed to better align the Ombudsman’s qualifications with existing responsibilities, particularly oversight of French-language service rights under provincial law.
Ontario is home to more than 650,000 Francophones, the largest Francophone population in North America outside Québec. The Ombudsman’s office already oversees the delivery of French-language services across government institutions under the French Language Services Act.
“Requiring the Ombudsman to be bilingual is a practical and necessary step to support clear communication, informed decision-making and effective service for our Francophone communities,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “By codifying this requirement, we are ensuring the Ombudsman has the necessary language skills to provide credible leadership and effective oversight of French-language service rights, now and for years to come.”
Aligning law with current practice
While the legislation would introduce a new formal requirement, it largely reflects existing practice. The province’s last two Ombudsmen have both been bilingual, meaning the proposed change would codify what has already become an informal standard.
Government officials say the amendment is intended to eliminate any ambiguity around qualifications for the role while reinforcing the importance of direct communication in both official languages.
The proposal also reflects a broader policy direction aimed at modernizing public institutions and ensuring they are responsive to Ontario’s linguistic diversity.
“Our government is committed to making Ontario’s institutions more efficient and accountable by ensuring the law matches the reality of the work being done. By aligning the Ombudsman’s qualifications with their existing legal responsibilities, we are removing unnecessary linguistic barriers in our oversight system. This ensures a more streamlined, transparent process that works better for the province’s 650,000 Francophones,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction.
Broader push to expand French-language services
The proposed legislative change builds on a series of recent measures by the Ontario government to expand access to French-language services.
In December, the province announced the expansion of six designated areas under the French Language Services Act, a move intended to improve access to public services in regions with significant Francophone populations.
Officials say the bilingual Ombudsman requirement complements these efforts by strengthening accountability and ensuring oversight mechanisms are equipped to function effectively in both languages.
If the legislation is approved, the new requirement would come into force immediately upon Royal Assent.
Francophone community welcomes move
Advocacy groups representing Francophone Ontarians have broadly welcomed the proposal, describing it as a meaningful step toward strengthening linguistic rights and improving trust in public institutions.
“The requirement for a fully bilingual Ombudsman is a significant and long-awaited victory for Ontario’s Francophone community. This delivers on the clear commitments made by Minister Caroline Mulroney and ensures our provincial institutions are consistent in their delivery of French-language services. For the AFO, bilingualism is a fundamental requirement for access to French language services; an office tasked with overseeing linguistic rights must be able to operate directly in both official languages without relying on intermediaries. This decision builds essential trust between Franco-Ontarians and their government. As we approach the 40th anniversary of the French Language Services Act, this is a concrete step toward a more inclusive Ontario. We welcome this change,” said Fabien Hébert, president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario.
Next steps
The legislation is expected to be introduced in the provincial legislature in the coming weeks. Its passage would mark a formal shift in how Ontario defines qualifications for one of its key oversight roles, embedding bilingualism into the province’s accountability framework.
For businesses and public institutions operating in Ontario, the move signals continued emphasis on compliance with French-language service requirements and reinforces the province’s commitment to linguistic accessibility as a component of governance and service delivery.