Ombudsman announces search for new French Language Services Commissioner

(TORONTO – March 3, 2023) Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced he is launching a search for a new French Language Services Commissioner.

Pending the search, Carl Bouchard, who has been the Ombudsman’s Director of Operations, French Language Service Unit since February 2020, will assume the role of Interim Commissioner, effective immediately.

“Our Office remains strongly committed to ensuring that the rights of Francophones in Ontario and the obligations of government and government agencies established by the French Language Services Act are respected and fulfilled,” Ombudsman Dubé stated. He noted that the results achieved since his Office was given responsibility for French language services in May 2019 have been remarkable.

The dedicated French Language Services Unit within the Ombudsman’s office has resolved more than 1,000 complaints and achieved impactful results for Francophones in their day-to-day lives, the Ombudsman noted. He stressed that the Unit’s work will continue uninterrupted, and that plays an integral part in his Office’s efforts in resolving problems and investigating administrative issues across the provincial public sector.

Kelly Burke, whom the Ombudsman appointed as Commissioner in January 2020, is no longer with the Ombudsman’s Office. “I want to thank Ms. Burke for her service and wish her success in her future endeavours,” the Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial officer of the Ontario Legislature, established in 1975. The Office of the Ombudsman resolves and investigates public complaints about provincial government bodies, as well as child protection services, French language services, municipalities, universities and school boards.