CPFMagazine Fall 2019 Issue

CONSULTATIONS, SYMPOSIA, AND REPORTS
It’s Time to Modernize the Official Languages Act
SUMMARY REPORT BY NICOLE THIBAULT, CPF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL
2019 marks the 50 th anniversary of
the Official Languages Act (Act). The Act
has undergone only one major revision
30 years ago, in 1988. The current Act
specifically outlines protections for the
minority language community. It should
play a key role in the lives of all Canadians
since its purpose is to:
n Ensure respect for English and French
as the official languages of Canada
in government and parliamentary
institutions.
n Support the development and vitality of
official language minority communities.
n Set out the powers, duties and functions
of federal institutions with respect to the
official languages of Canada.
n Affirms the right in certain
circumstances to communicate with
and receive services from federal
institutions in the official language of
one’s choice and to work in English or
French in federal institutions.
The Act also gives individuals the right
to express themselves in the language of
their choice before the federal courts. It
promotes English and French and supports
the vitality of official language minority
communities across the country, so that all
individuals can enrich the country through
their contribution.
Yet, throughout the consultations
undertaken in 2018-2019, Canadians
identifying with the majority language
group do not feel they are directly
addressed. Modernizing the Act is an
opportunity to ensure that it meets the
needs of today’s diverse Canadian society,
responding to the increased demand for
French second language (FSL) learning
programs across the country.
As the Government of Canada has
set an ambitious target, to increase our
national bilingualism rate from 17.9% to
20% by 2036, Canadian Parents for French
offered five main recommendations
during the many consultations:
A. Incorporating a new section to establish
access to FSL education as a right or
guarantee for non-rights holders;
B. Broadening the definition of
“francophone” and of “minority linguistic
community” in Section 32(1)2(a) to be
inclusive of Canadians whose mother
tongue is not French but who are French
speakers and are interested in accessing
services in French;
C. Expanding the Act to be more
inclusive of and serve all Canadians,
by modifying Sections 43(2) and 45 in
order to guarantee consultation with
organizations promoting FSL education;
D. Expanding and strengthening the
mandate of the Minister of Canadian
Heritage (or designated Minister)
(Section 43(1)e) to require and assist
provincial governments to provide
opportunities for FSL; and
E. Officially recognizing the role
played by French speakers (rights and
non-rights holders) in the vitality of
minority language communities.
In May 2019, the Government of
Canada shared a Summary Document:
Engaging Canadians as a Step Towards
Modernizing the Official Languages Act.
Regional trends are noted, key themes
featured, with five broad areas
of consensus having emerged:
n The importance of including and raising
awareness among linguistic majorities;
n Official languages embodied in
individual experiences;
n The value of Indigenous languages;
n The potential of technologies as a driver
of innovation; and,
n The place of culture in the Act.
6 CPF MAGAZINE FALL 2019