Francophone Community Engagement Regulation

A new regulation under the Local Health System Integration Act will support coordinated, meaningful and effective engagement of francophone communities on health services. This regulation outlines how the ministry will select French language health planning entities to work with the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). The ministry is currently developing the process for selecting entities and will have entities appointed by July 2010.

French Language Health Planning Entities

Planning entities are organizations selected by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to undertake francophone community engagement activities with one or more Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) within a geographical area.

Planning Entity Role

French language health planning entities will provide advice and input to the LHINs on:

•  Methods of engaging the francophone community in the area

• Health needs and priorities of the local francophone community

• Identifying francophone health services and health care providers currently available to the community

• Improving access to, and the integration of, French language health services in the area.

Planning Entity Criteria

An organization may be eligible to apply to become a French language planning entity if it:

• Is incorporated under the laws of Ontario and is actively in operation

• Has an active relationship with the local francophone community

• Has experience with or knowledge of the local health system and the health needs of the francophone community

• Has been involved in the planning or delivery of health services

• Has the capacity and skills to engage and provide advice to the LHIN

• Can recommend strategies to improve access to, accessibility of and integration of French language health services into the local health system