Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. In the Canadian parliamentary context, English and French enjoy equality of status and use. In fact, there are a number of constitutional and legislative provisions governing the use of both official languages in Parliament. These provisions, which… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. The purpose of the Official Languages Act (OLA) is to ensure respect for English and French as the official languages of Canada. Pursuant to the OLA and to regulations and current policies, federal institutions are guided by certain fundamental principles that… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. This HillStudy presents a non-exhaustive overview of the language regimes in place in the provinces and territories, and it briefly describes the main features of each one. In Canada, jurisdiction over language is shared between the various levels… Read More ›
Reading Time: 6 minutesDisponible en français. In May 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered a new trial in French for an accused who had not been informed of his right to be tried in the official language of his choice. The accused… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. In Canada, language is an area of shared jurisdiction between the various levels of government. Although the federal government has established its own support measures, it relies on the provinces and territories to help ensure the nationwide recognition of both official languages – English and French. This HillStudy provides an overview of the language regimes established… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. In 2013–2014 and again since June 2020, some Canadian political figures have used the terms “national languages” and “official languages” interchangeably to refer to English and French when discussing the federal language regime. However, these two terms are not equivalent. “Official” status requires the government to… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. There are various rules governing the use of French and English within the Canadian judicial system. This Background Paper focuses on the federal government’s role in the matter, looking particularly at the issues relating to bilingualism within the Canadian court system. There are a number of different acts that govern the administration of justice in the two official… Read More ›
Reading Time: 6 minutesRevised on 21 December 2020, 10:05 a.m. Any substantive changes in this HillNote that have been made since the preceding issue are indicated in bold print. (Disponible en français : Le cadre réglementaire pour les langues officielles, revu et corrigé) Chronology… Read More ›
Reading Time: 5 minutes(Disponible en français : Assurer l’accès à une éducation de qualité aux élèves inscrits dans les écoles de la minorité) The constitutional right to an education in one’s own language Under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutes(Disponible en français : Résumé – Régimes linguistiques dans les provinces et les territoires) In Canada, language is an area of shared jurisdiction between the various levels of government. Although the federal government has established its own support measures, it… Read More ›