PART XII LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
French-language rights holders groups
294 (1) In this section and in sections 295 to 299, “Commission” means the Languages of Instruction Commission of Ontario continued under section 295; (“Commission”) “French-language rights holder”, in relation to a school authority, means a person who is entitled to vote at an election of members of the school authority and who has the right under subsection 23 (1) or (2), without regard to subsection 23 (3), of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to have his or her children receive their primary and secondary school instruction in the French language in Ontario. (“titulaire des droits liés au français”)  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Proposals of French-language rights holders groups (2) A group of 10 French-language rights holders of a school authority may develop a proposal designed to meet the educational and cultural needs of the French-speaking persons who are resident pupils of the school authority and of the French-speaking community served by the school authority.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Same (3) A proposal under this section may relate to, (a) the provision of suitable sites, accommodation and equipment; (b) the establishment, operation and management of French-language instructional units; (c) the establishment of or alteration of the area of jurisdiction of a French-language district school board; (d) the use of the French language and of the English language in French-language instructional units; (e) the use of Quebec Sign Language as a language of instruction; (f) the recruitment and appointment of the required teaching, supervisory and administrative personnel; (g) the establishment of the course of study and the use of textbooks; (h) the development and establishment of special education programs; Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the French version of clause 294 (3) (h) of the Act is re-enacted. (See: 2023, c. 11, Sched. 2, s. 33) (i) the establishment of attendance areas for French-language instructional units; (j) the provision of transportation for pupils; (k) the entering into agreements with other boards in respect of the provision of instruction in the French language and supervisory and consultative services; (l) the provision of board, lodging, and transportation for pupils; (m) the development and establishment of adult education programs; (n) the use of any facility and means necessary to meet the educational and cultural needs of the French-speaking community; (o) the provision of summer school programs; and (p) any other matter pertaining to French-language education for French-speaking persons.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Consideration of proposals by school authority (4) The school authority shall consider any proposal that is developed by a French-language rights holder group under this section and submitted to the school authority in writing.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Same (5) The school authority shall not refuse to approve the proposal without having given the French-language rights holder group an opportunity to be heard by the school authority.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Same (6) For the purposes of subsection (5), a group shall name one of its members to speak for the group.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Approval of proposal under clause (3) (c) (7) Where a school authority approves a proposal made under clause (3) (c), it shall give notice of the approval to the Minister, together with a recommendation that a regulation be made under subsection 58.1 (2) implementing the proposal.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Notice of refusal (8) A school authority that refuses to approve a proposal shall, within 30 days after receiving the proposal of the French-language rights holder group, forward to the group written reasons for the refusal.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Referral by group to Languages of Instruction Commission (9) On receipt of a refusal and the reasons for it under subsection (8), the French-language rights holder group may refer the matter to the Commission by sending to the Commission, (a) a written request for consideration of the matter; (b) the written proposal of the group; and (c) the written reasons of the school authority for its refusal.  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Same (10) A French-language rights holder group that refers a matter to the Commission shall send to the school authority a copy of the written request for consideration referred to in clause (9) (a).  1997, c. 31, s. 128. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1997, c. 31, s. 128 - 01/01/1998 2023, c. 11, Sched. 2, s. 33 - not in force Languages of Instruction Commission of Ontario