Bilingualism in Canada

Leaders' Debates Commissioner David Johnston sets participation criteria for next federal general election

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Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Government of Canada, Leaders' debates, Articles, Bilingualism in Canada, Leaders' Debates Commission, Government in Canada, David Johnston, Leaders' debate, Debate, Canadian leaders' debates

OTTAWA, ON, June 22, 2021 /CNW/ -Commissioner David Johnston today announces the participation criteria for the next federal leaders' debates in accordance with the Commission's amended mandate.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, June 22, 2021 /CNW/ -Commissioner David Johnston today announces the participation criteria for the next federal leaders' debates in accordance with the Commission's amended mandate.
  • David Johnston, Commissioner of the Leaders' Debates Commission, said:
    "We carefully reviewed and considered several factors and sources of advice before creating these participation criteria.
  • The Commission will announce which political parties will take part in the debates no later than six days after the date the general election is called.
  • Its mandate is to organize two leaders' debates for the next federal general election, one in each official language, while paying special attention to Canada's Indigenous languages.

Introduction of Bill C-32, an Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English and the Strengthening of the Official Languages Act

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Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Countries, Bilingualism in Canada, Government of Canada, International organizations, English language in Canada, French language in Canada, Official bilingualism in Canada, Official Languages Act, Substantive equality, Canada, Official language

The introduction of the bill is a major milestone in paving the way for substantive equality of Canada's two official languages.

Key Points: 
  • The introduction of the bill is a major milestone in paving the way for substantive equality of Canada's two official languages.
  • I am proud to introduce this bill that aims to advance the equality of status and use of our two official languages.
  • The first federal Official Languages Act, adopted in 1969, declared English and French as the two official languages of Parliament and of the Government of Canada.
  • On June15, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-32, an Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English and the Strengthening of the Official Languages Act.

Profound changes needed in the federal public service to ensure effective bilingual services to Canadians

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Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Contemporary history, Bilingualism in Canada, Official Languages Act, Pierre Trudeau, Health, COVID-19 pandemic, Infectious diseases

In his report, CommissionerThberge notes that the COVID19 pandemic has highlighted systemic problems within federal institutions.

Key Points: 
  • In his report, CommissionerThberge notes that the COVID19 pandemic has highlighted systemic problems within federal institutions.
  • The Commissioner also notes in his report that federal public servants do not always feel comfortable using the non-predominant official language at work.
  • "During times of crisis, the limited capacity of federal institutions to provide services to the public in both official languages becomes apparent.
  • In 20202021, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received a total of 1,870admissible complaints under the Official Languages Act.

Statement From the Commissioner of Official Languages on the Government of Quebec's Position on the Modernization of the Official Languages Act

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Friday, February 5, 2021
Bilingualism in Canada, Government of Canada, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Government, QUEBEC, Official language, Official Languages Act, Gatineau, Commissioner of Official Languages, Canada

GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 5, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Commissioner of Official Languages RaymondThberge made the following statement today:

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 5, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Commissioner of Official Languages RaymondThberge made the following statement today:
    "Today, Ilearned of the Quebec government's position on the modernization of the Official Languages Act.
  • Iam pleased to see that the two levels of government are working together amicably to modernize the Act.
  • Moreover, in order to achieve true equality of English and French, the modernization of the Act is now essential.
  • Ilook forward to the tabling of the White Paper on official languages, which will define the government's broad intentions with respect to official languages.

Commissioner calls on all Ontario ministries to produce plans to improve French language services

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Thursday, December 10, 2020
Bilingualism in Canada, French Language Services Act, ONTARIO, Canada, Language policy

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke today is urging the province to improve the planning for the provision of French language services across the government.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- French Language Services Commissioner Kelly Burke today is urging the province to improve the planning for the provision of French language services across the government.
  • Her main recommendations call on the government to require each ministry to produce a plan for the improvement of French language services.
  • The Commissioner notes that under the French Language Services Act, each deputy minister is accountable to the Executive Council regarding the availability and the quality of French language services within his or her ministry.
  • About the French Language Services Unit: Ontario's French Language Services Act has been in effect since 1989.

Statement - Tabling of Leaders' Debates Commission report on 2019 federal election

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Monday, June 1, 2020
Government of Canada, Leaders' debates, Acadian people, Bilingualism in Canada, Leaders' Debates Commission, Leaders' debate, Dominic LeBlanc, Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Canadian leaders' debates

OTTAWA, June 1, 2020 /CNW/ -The Government of Canada is committed to making federal leaders' debates, which are an important part of federal election campaigns, even more transparent and accessible to all Canadians.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, June 1, 2020 /CNW/ -The Government of Canada is committed to making federal leaders' debates, which are an important part of federal election campaigns, even more transparent and accessible to all Canadians.
  • Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, issued the following statement:
    "Leaders' debates play an essential role in Canada's federal elections.
  • That is why we welcome the release of the Leaders' Debates Commission report on the 2019 federal election, which I was pleased to table in Parliament today.
  • The Leaders' Debates Commission has played an important role in making leaders' debates a more predictable, reliable, and stable element of federal election campaigns, and in supporting more open and transparent debates that reach a greater number of diverse Canadians.

Thorough review produces more inclusive official languages regulations

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Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Bilingualism in Canada, Official Languages Act, Pierre Trudeau, Official language, Treasury Board, Joyce Murray, Constitutional amendment, Government of Canada, Politics of British Columbia, Canada, Language policy

The Honourable Joyce Murray, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, announced that finalized amendments to the Official Languages Regulations were published today in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

Key Points: 
  • The Honourable Joyce Murray, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, announced that finalized amendments to the Official Languages Regulations were published today in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
  • These amendments will provide enhanced access for Canadians to federal services in both official languages.
  • The regulations define some key provisions of the Official Languages Act that determine which federal offices must provide services in English, French, or in both official languages.
  • We have listened and worked hard to better reflect today's technological and demographic realities, especially for official language minority communities."

Three New Initiatives to Support Official-Language Minority Communities and Promote Bilingualism in Canada

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Thursday, June 27, 2019
Bilingualism in Canada, English language in Canada, French language in Canada, Language policy, Official bilingualism in Canada, Minority language, Politics, Canada, Culture

That is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting official-language minority communities and promoting bilingualism across the country.

Key Points: 
  • That is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting official-language minority communities and promoting bilingualism across the country.
  • "These three initiatives from the Action Plan for Official Languages help solidify our government's commitment to continue strengthening Francophone minority communities and promote bilingualism across the country.
  • "The Government of Canada is committed to meeting the needs of official-language minority communities and promoting bilingualism in Canada.
  • The Action Plan is providing a record $2.7 billion over 5years, including $500million in new funding, to support minority language communities and promote bilingualism across the country.

An innovative tool to encourage federal institutions to respect official languages rights

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Monday, June 17, 2019
Bilingualism in Canada, Maturity model, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

Launch of a new tool: Official Languages Maturity Model

Key Points: 
  • Launch of a new tool: Official Languages Maturity Model
    GATINEAU, QC, June 17, 2019 /CNW/ - As we mark the 50th anniversary of theOfficialLanguages Act (the Act), Commissioner of Official Languages RaymondThberge is proud to unveil his Official Languages Maturity Model (OLMM) today.
  • I urge the government to take advantage of this new tool to obtain a thorough and accurate assessment of the state of official languages within their institutions and use it as a reference for making progress."
  • "The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency was pleased to participate in the Official Languages Maturity Model pilot project.
  • As the official languages champion in my organization, I can attest that the exercise allowed us to identify our official languages strengths and weaknesses.

Historic Symposium on the 50th Anniversary of the Official Languages Act Concludes

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Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Bilingualism in Canada, Government of Canada, Languages of Canada, Canada, Official bilingualism in Canada, Official Languages Act, Explore, Treasury Board, Minister responsible for Official Languages

TheHonourable MlanieJoly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and LaFrancophonie, together with theHonourable DavidLametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and theHonourable JoyceMurray, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, hosted the Symposium on the 50thAnniversary of the Official Languages Actthe largest official languages gathering in the country as part of the review to modernize the Official Languages Act.

Key Points: 
  • TheHonourable MlanieJoly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and LaFrancophonie, together with theHonourable DavidLametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and theHonourable JoyceMurray, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, hosted the Symposium on the 50thAnniversary of the Official Languages Actthe largest official languages gathering in the country as part of the review to modernize the Official Languages Act.
  • Workshops allowed participants to explore several aspects of the key themes discussed at the symposium, including the history and review of the Official Languages Act; federal institutions that embody official languages; promoting culture and bilingualism; official languages and Canada in the digital age; and official languages and Canada's place in the world.
  • TheSymposium on the 50thAnniversary of the Official Languages Act is one of many events taking place this year to highlight the progress made in official languages since 1969 and to look ahead to modernizing the act.
  • In June 2018, on the eve of the 50thanniversary of the Official Languages Act, the Government of Canada announced its intention to modernize the act.