French-speaking residents of southwestern Ontario may now access services in their language in an expanded area.
The Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs announced last week that it is offering provincial services in French in six expanded areas across Ontario, including the County of Essex and Chatham-Kent.
"The expansion of government services in French in six communities across Ontario will help thousands more Francophone residents access the services they need, in their language of choice," said Francophone Affairs Minister Caroline Mulroney. "Marking the anniversary of the modernization of the French Language Services Act with this new milestone reflects the progress we have achieved to strengthen our Francophone communities now and into the future."
Under the Act, the Ontario government is required to offer provincial services in French in areas where the majority of Ontario’s Francophone population lives.
Residents were invited last year to provide Queens Park with feedback on how and where French-language services should be expanded.
The Ministry also expanded services to cover the existing municipal boundaries in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the City of Hamilton, the County of Renfrew, and the District of Thunder Bay.
In addition, the Ministry clarified the scope of coverage in Sarnia-Lambton by differentiating between the City of Sarnia and the County of Lambton, effective January 1, 2026.
