Official Languages Act

Statement from the Commissioner regarding the Bill to Establish the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

"Since the modernization of the Official Languages Act, much progress has been made regarding the language requirements of the Canadian judiciary.

Key Points: 
  • "Since the modernization of the Official Languages Act, much progress has been made regarding the language requirements of the Canadian judiciary.
  • Supreme Court and federal court judges must now be able to hear cases in the preferred official language of those facing justice.
  • To go against these new obligations by not requiring bilingualism of the commissioners who would review miscarriages of justice seems illogical to me.
  • It is a giant step backward in terms of Canadians' right to equal access to justice in both official languages.

Statement from the Commissioner following the passing of Keith Spicer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023

GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Théberge made the following statement today following the passing of former commissioner Keith Spicer:

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Théberge made the following statement today following the passing of former commissioner Keith Spicer:
    "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of the very first Commissioner of Official Languages, Keith Spicer.
  • "Mr. Spicer was a key player in the birth of the official languages system.
  • His appointment in 1970 marked the creation of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
  • "Through my eyes as a young Franco-Manitoban, Keith Spicer represented the true embodiment of the Official Languages Act.

Bill C-13 from Minister Petitpas Taylor to modernize the Official Languages Act receives Royal Assent

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023

On June 20, Royal Assent was granted to Bill C-13, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

Key Points: 
  • On June 20, Royal Assent was granted to Bill C-13, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.
  • The Bill was tabled by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
  • Since its enactment in 1969 and subsequent amendments, the Official Languages Act has had a concrete impact on the lives of all Canadians.
  • Visit the Government of Canada's website on modernizing and strengthening the Official Languages Act to learn more about the bill and the history of the Official Languages Act.

Statement from the Commissioner regarding the passage of Bill C-13 to modernize the Official Languages Act

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023

GATINEAU, QC , June 20, 2023 /CNW/ - The Commissioner of Official Languages, Raymond Théberge, made the following statement following the passage of Bill C-13, entitled An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts:

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC , June 20, 2023 /CNW/ - The Commissioner of Official Languages, Raymond Théberge, made the following statement following the passage of Bill C-13, entitled An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts:
    "After several years of waiting, we can finally celebrate the modernization of the Official Languages Act, which has become a reality today.
  • This important step marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of official languages, and the modernized Act, which is more robust and better adapted to today's linguistic reality, will play a key role.
  • Many improvements have been made to the previous version of the Act to help me ensure better compliance and to promote the full vitality of official language minority communities.
  • I now have at my disposal various new tools, such as compliance agreements and orders, to help me, as Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada, ensure better compliance with the Act.

Tabling of the 2022-2023 annual report: Official languages issues still very much present

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

GATINEAU, QC, May 30, 2023 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada Raymond Théberge tabled his 2022–2023 annual report in Parliament today.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, May 30, 2023 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada Raymond Théberge tabled his 2022–2023 annual report in Parliament today.
  • Along with a modernized Official Languages Act, a strong and well-designed Action Plan for Official Languages is essential to ensure that our official language communities stay strong and vibrant.
  • "As efforts to modernize the Official Languages Act continue, it is crucial that we once again prioritize our official languages and give them the distinct importance they deserve on an ongoing basis.
  • In 2022–2023, the Commissioner of Official Languages received a total of 1,788 admissible complaints under the Official Languages Act.

CN announces its official registration with the Office québécois de la langue française

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 16, 2023

MONTREAL, March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today that the company has registered with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) pursuant to An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (the “Act “).

Key Points: 
  • MONTREAL, March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today that the company has registered with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) pursuant to An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (the “Act “).
  • Further to the Act coming into force in 2022, CN management began discussions with the OQLF to voluntarily register the company.
  • As it is subject to the Official Languages Act under its incorporating act, CN is in a unique situation.
  • “I welcome CN's decision to register with the Office québécois de la langue française, as have the vast majority of federally regulated companies with more than 50 employees.

Language Rights of Federal Public Servants Unacceptably Violated While Negotiating for Fair Working Conditions

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 6, 2023

The federal government justifies this by the need to use external translators in order to provide the service.

Key Points: 
  • The federal government justifies this by the need to use external translators in order to provide the service.
  • Jeff Wilkins, UCCO-SACC-CSN National President, denounces the government's disregard for correctional officers as not only worrisome but dangerous:
    "In negotiations, words matter.
  • If all parties at the table cannot understand the content or context of the discussions, we cannot represent our members properly.
  • Regardless of the official language they choose to use, they must be able to be understood in the language of their choice and understand what is being said at the negotiating table.

Governments of Canada and Ontario invest more than $34.7 million in the University of Ottawa

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2023

The governments of Canada and Ontario announce important support for French-language resources and programs at the University of Ottawa.

Key Points: 
  • The governments of Canada and Ontario announce important support for French-language resources and programs at the University of Ottawa.
  • The University of Ottawa also plans to gradually hire 20 French-speaking professors over a two-year period to improve access to research laboratories in French.
  • The Government of Canada is allocating $14,081,845 over two years to this project while the Government of Ontario is allocating $7,955,536 over the same timeframe.
  • The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing $835,938 over two years to this project.

Statement by the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada regarding his brief on Bill C-13

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 20, 2022

GATINEAU, QC, June 20, 2022 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Thberge made the following statement today on his appearance before the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages:

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, June 20, 2022 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Thberge made the following statement today on his appearance before the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages:
    "In March of this year, the Government introduced the highly anticipated Bill C-13 to modernize the Official Languages Act.
  • "Iam therefore very proud to submit my brief, Seizing a Historic Opportunity: For a Complete Modernization of the OLA, to the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages.
  • "My recommendations focus primarily on:
    clear official languages governance that promotes accountability;
    federal institutions that value official languages with respect to their employees and their interactions with the public;
    support for official language minority communities and advancement of official languages to preserve gains and clarify institutions' obligations;
    new powers for the Commissioner of Official Languages that are strong and effective; and
    a consistent language policy for federally regulated private businesses.
  • The ball is now in their court, andIam calling on all parliamentarians to seize this historic opportunity to make this bill a success for Canada's official languages.

Statement by the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada on the preliminary investigation report regarding the November 3, 2021, speech by the President and CEO of Air Canada

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 8, 2022

The report, which has been shared with the complainants and Air Canada, sets out my preliminary conclusions.

Key Points: 
  • The report, which has been shared with the complainants and Air Canada, sets out my preliminary conclusions.
  • As of February 28, 2022, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has received 2,680 complaints about the almost exclusively English-language speech given by Michael Rousseau, President and CEO of Air Canada.
  • The preliminary investigation report was sent to the parties (the complainants and Air Canada) for comments.
  • * The Commissioner's comments will be limited to the information in this statement; he will not be commenting on the preliminary report itself, as the investigation is ongoing.