Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)

Legislative Obligations

Ontario Human Rights Code

The Human Rights Code recognizes the dignity and worth of every person and provides for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination. Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), 1990

The purpose of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) is to provide a right of access to information in the custody or under the control of a ministry or other government institution, subject to limited and specific exemptions. Additionally, FIPPA exists to protect personal information held by a ministry or other government institutions and provide individuals with a right to access their own personal information.

Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005

Through the AODA, Ontario is developing mandatory accessibility standards that will identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. The standards are being developed to achieve real results in stages. The AODA is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. The areas addressed by the AODA standards will include: Customer Service; Employment; Information and Communication; Transportation; and The Built Environment.

French Language Service Act, 1990

The French Language Services Act (FLSA) was adopted unanimously on November 6, 1986 and came into force in November 1989. The preamble of the FLSA recognizes the contribution of the cultural heritage of the French-speaking population and wishes to preserve it for future generations.

The Francophone presence in Ontario dates back more than 350 years. Today, Ontario is home to the largest French-speaking population in Canada outside Quebec.

The Act guarantees members of the public the right to communicate with and receive services in French from all Ontario government offices located in or serving the designated areas of the province. Currently, there are 25 designated areas.

The Act applies to offices of the government, scheduled organizations, partially or fully funded designated organizations, third-party service providers contracted to deliver services on behalf of the government.

Ministries and designated organizations are responsible for planning and delivering services in French that meet the requirements of the Act and the needs of the Francophone community in areas designated under the Act. This means providing services that are equal in quality and accessibility to those offered in English to the Anglophone community. Resources must be in place to ensure that French-speaking customers have access to prompt and quality service at all times.

Insurance Act, 1990

All LBS organizations, as per terms of their agreement with the ministry, must have all the necessary and appropriate insurance, including commercial general liability insurance on an occurrence basis for third party bodily injury, personal injury and property damage, to an inclusive limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence. The policy shall include the following:

  • the indemnified parties as additional insureds with respect to liability arising in the course of performance of the recipient’s obligations under, or otherwise in connection with, the agreement;
  • a cross-liability clause;
  • contractual liability coverage; and
  • a 30 day written notice of cancellation, termination or material change.

Ministry staff are to ensure that these legislative obligations are being adhered to by each of the LBS organizations.

These laws and legislative obligations can be found in their entirety at: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca