Language policy

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

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 10, 2020

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.

Beyond the Official Languages Act, it's a matter of respect and safety for all Canadians

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Thursday, April 23, 2020

However, it is my responsibility as Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada and as an independent agent of Parliament to raise red flags related to official languages when Isee them.

Key Points: 
  • However, it is my responsibility as Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada and as an independent agent of Parliament to raise red flags related to official languages when Isee them.
  • Beyond the Official Languages Act, it's a matter of respect and safety for all Canadians.
  • "On a final note, Iencourage all leaders across the country to do their part and ensure that all Canadian citizens receive information in both official languages.
  • It's a matter of respect and safety for everyone and, above all, it's the right thing to do."

New $1 Billion Federal-Provincial-Territorial Protocol for Agreements to Support Education for Official-Language Minorities and Second-Language Learning

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Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The Honourable Mlanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announces that she has signed a $1-billion protocol for agreements to support education in official-language minority communities and secondlanguage learning.

Key Points: 
  • The Honourable Mlanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announces that she has signed a $1-billion protocol for agreements to support education in official-language minority communities and secondlanguage learning.
  • Through this new protocol, the Government of Canada will invest $1 billion over four years to support French education in minority language communities, education in English for English-speaking communities in Quebec as well as second-language instruction for the 20192020 to 20222023 period.
  • "Education is a critical to the vitality of official-language minority communities and the promotion of bilingualism across the country.
  • Although it subscribes to the general principles of the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction, the Government of Quebec does not subscribe to the new Protocol.

Thorough review produces more inclusive official languages regulations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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

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.

Bilingual services provided by the Canada Border Services Agency slow to improve

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends that the Canada Border Services Agency:

Key Points: 
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends that the Canada Border Services Agency:
    determine and monitor the number of bilingual superintendents needed to ensure service of equal quality in both official languages at designated bilingual points of entry; and
    use this information to ensure the sufficient capacity of bilingual superintendents at designated bilingual points of entry.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends that the Canada Border Services Agency develop and conduct targeted recruitment activities to promote bilingual frontline service positions.
  • These recruitment activities should be directed toward bilingual audiences across Canada, including official language minority communities.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends that the Canada Border Services Agency provide ongoing second-language learning opportunities to bilingual border services officers in all regions in order to help bilingual officers learn the technical job-related terminology required for their work and to maintain their secondofficiallanguage skills.

New partnership to Support Bilingualism in Canada's Capital

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 13, 2019

That is why the government is committed to supporting bilingualism in Canada's Capital and across the country.

Key Points: 
  • That is why the government is committed to supporting bilingualism in Canada's Capital and across the country.
  • The Honourable Mlanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announced a two-year partnership between the Government of Canada and Association des communauts francophones d'Ottawa (ACFO) to bolster the presence of the French language and bilingualism in Canada's Capital.
  • Through the Action Plan for Official Languages 20182023, the government will invest $2.5 million over four years for projects, led by partners such as community organizations that will bolster bilingualism in Canada's Capital.
  • This partnership with ACFO will provide major support for initiatives that promote bilingualism in our national capital so that it truly reflects Canada's bilingual status.

Recurring official languages issues: Commissioner offers federal government solutions for sustainable results

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 9, 2019

Modernizing the Official Languages Act: The Commissioner of Official Languages' Recommendations for an Act that is Relevant, Dynamic and Strong

Key Points: 
  • Modernizing the Official Languages Act: The Commissioner of Official Languages' Recommendations for an Act that is Relevant, Dynamic and Strong
    In this 50thanniversary year of the Official Languages Act, it is time for the government to review the Act in its entirety in order to make it relevant, dynamic and strong.
  • that decisions by federal courts and tribunals be required through legislation to be made available simultaneously in both official languages.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends:
    that the principle of substantive equality, the remedial nature of language rights and the Act's quasi-constitutional status be codified in the preamble to the Official Languages Act.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages recommends:
    that the Federal Court be given the ability to award damages for any breach of the Official Languages Act, without exception or exclusion.

Minister Joly Announces an Investment to Support Ottawa's Francophone Artistic and Cultural Community

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 6, 2019

Our government is committed to supporting the development of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities across the country.

Key Points: 
  • Our government is committed to supporting the development of Francophone and Anglophone minority communities across the country.
  • The project will rally Ontario's Francophone artistic and cultural community and improve students' access to the professional arts scene.
  • Thanks to the Centre, teens, families and the whole community can live, learn and have fun in a French-language environment."
  • This represents a total investment of $140,489,805 in projects to support official-language minority communities and promote bilingualism.

Minister Joly Announces Investment of More Than $450,000 in Support of Francophone Community in Timmins, Ontario

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 11, 2019

That is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the development of Anglophone and Francophone minority communities across the country.

Key Points: 
  • That is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the development of Anglophone and Francophone minority communities across the country.
  • Today, theHonourable MlanieJoly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and LaFrancophonie, announced funding for cultural and community projects in Francophone communities in Northern Ontario.
  • Thecentre will also receive $216,000 over threeyears, through official languages support programs, to support its general programming.
  • This represents a total investment of $98,313,722 in 20182019 in projects that support official-language minority communities and promote bilingualism.