EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the French Language Services Act. New subsection 5.1 (1) provides that a person has the right to communication and services in French from the board of health. New subsection 5.1 (2) requires the Chief Medical Officer of Health and boards of health to make information available in French.

Bill 278 2021

An Act to amend the French Language Services Act

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1 The French Language Services Act is amended by adding the following section:

Public health

5.1  (1)  Despite any other Act, a person has the right to communicate in French with and to receive available services in French from a board of health.

Same

(2)  Despite any other Act, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and every board of health shall make any information they provide to the public available in French in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time.

Interpretation

(3)  In this section,

“board of health” has the same meaning as in the Health Protection and Promotion Act; (“conseil de santé”)

“Chief Medical Officer of Health” has the same meaning as in the Health Protection and Promotion Act. (“médecin-hygiéniste en chef”)

2 Section 8 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

  (d)  prescribing the form, manner and timing in which information will be made available for the purposes of subsection 5.1 (2).

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Short title

4 The short title of this Act is the French Language Services Amendment Act, 2021.