The French Language Services Act, 1986 has had an impact on the provision of health care services in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Health's implementation of French-language services is examined in light of three criteria: permanency, quality and accessibility of services. Issues are raised around the measurement and creation of demand for services; the health human resources shortage; health care priorities; what constitutes a high quality service; and the influence of the political and economic climates. The continuing challenge is to provide permanent and accessible high quality French-language health care services within an ailing health care system.
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