French-language government services expanding in Thunder Bay district

More government services in the Thunder Bay District will be available in French.

The province says various government agencies, ministries and third-party service-providers are working on full implementation of French-language services.

The Thunder Bay District is one of six areas where services will be improved.

Minister of Francophone Affairs. Caroline Mulroney says the move is part of their commitment to improve access to services.

“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,” states Mulroney in a release.

Last year, the Ministry gathered feedback on the proposal to expand six designated areas to reflect current municipal boundaries.

The Thunder Bay District is among the areas designated under the French Language Services Act.

Statistics Canada estimates about 12,000 Francophones living in the district.

Under the French Language Services Act, the Ontario government is required to offer provincial services in French in designated areas, where the majority of Ontario’s Francophone population lives.