April 17, 1982 The Constitution is repatriated, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is adopted, making linguistic duality a constitutionally recognized principle
Robert Cooper (April 17, 1982). “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau signing the Proclamation of the Constitutional Act, 1982.” Credit: Robert Cooper / Library and Archives Canada / PA-141503. Copyright: Government of Canada.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms contains several sections that guarantee and strengthen Canadians’ language rights, including the right to use either official language in Parliament and before the federal courts, and the right of parents in official language minority communities to have their children educated in their own language. The new constitution also recognizes multiculturalism and the rights of Indigenous peoples.