Ensuring Equitable Access to Health Services in French

Franco-Ontarian Day is an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of Francophone communities across Ontario, and for Ontario Health to confirm our commitment to high-quality health services accessible in French.

In health care, language can affect how people describe symptoms, understand treatment options, navigate services and make informed decisions. Providing care in a person’s preferred language helps build trust, improve care experiences and advance health equity.

Advancing Health Equity for Francophone Communities

Ontario is home to one of the largest Francophone populations outside Quebec, with diverse communities across the province. At Ontario Health, we are committed to providing services of equal quality in English and French, in accordance with the French Language Services Act.

Our French Language Health Services team works alongside the French Language Health Services Planning Centre, health service providers and community organizations to improve access to health services in French. This work includes:

• integrating Francophone needs and perspectives into health system planning and program design
• supporting French-language services across primary care, mental health and addictions, digital services, home and community care, healthy aging and cancer care
• building awareness and capacity across the health system
• engaging Francophone patients, families, caregivers and communities to identify barriers and opportunities for improvement

Resources such as the Francophones and Cultural and Linguistic Sensitive Care Learning Program also help clinicians and leaders strengthen culturally diverse care. Health care professionals are encouraged to complete the free online training to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in providing care in French.

These are some of the initiatives taking place across the health system to improve access to health services in French:

• Primary care: Working with communities and health system partners to identify French-speaking clinicians and support access to care closer to home and in patients’ preferred language
• Mental health: Working with Network Lead Organizations to expand access to the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program in French through bilingual staff, active offer training, virtual care pathways and engagement with Francophone organizations
• Health811: Expanding 24/7 health advice and system navigation in French, along with French-language phone, chat and digital resources that help people find appropriate services
• Health system planning: Engaging Francophone communities, patients, clinicians and partners to identify local priorities and inform planning and service

Looking Ahead

Together, these efforts help reduce language barriers and improve access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate care.

We will continue working with Francophone communities, health care organizations, clinicians and partners to strengthen access to French-language services and build a more equitable, connected and patient-centred health system.

Bonne fête des Franco-Ontariens et Franco-Ontariennes!