Court decisions
This database presents summaries of key court decisions in Canada related to official languages and of events relating to language rights since 2003. These summaries have been prepared by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada.
This database is not exhaustive. It was designed to be used as a reference tool for people directly or indirectly interested in language rights. The database is updated on an ongoing basis.
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Year: 2010
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick
Citation: 2010 NBQB 27
Category: Language rights and services to the public
This caseFootnote 1 involved a peace officer who arrested an individual for impaired driving and failed to inform the individual, at the beginning of their conversation, of his right to receive service in the official language of his choice. It...Year: 2010
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Provincial Court of New Brunswick
Citation: 2010 NBPC 24
Category: Language rights and services to the public
In this caseFootnote 1, the Provincial Court of New Brunswick had to determine the consequences of an active offer made by a police officer, but that was made too late. Mr. Losier was charged with operating a motor...Year: 2011
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Provincial Court of New Brunswick
Citation: 2011 NBCP 2
Category: Language rights and services to the public
In this caseFootnote 1, Mr. Robichaud was charged with refusing to comply with an order given by a peace officer to provide a breath sample, which is contrary to subsection 254(5) of the...Year: 2010
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick
Citation: 2010 NBQB 228
Category: Language rights and services to the public
This caseFootnote 1 dealt with an appeal of the decision by a judge of the Provincial Court to order a stay of proceedings pursuant to section 24(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (The ...Year: 2010
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Province of New Brunswick assessment and planning appeal board
Citation: 2010 NBAPAB 12
Category: Language rights and services to the public
In this caseFootnote 1, the applicant appealed the decision of the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission (Commission), which recommended the granting of a variance, before the Assessment and Planning Appeal Board (Appeal Board). The...Year: 2010
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Ontario Superior Court
Citation: 2010 ONSC 4566
Category: Language rights and services to the public
In this caseFootnote 1, the Ontario Superior Court had to determine whether the Township of Russell (Township) had the jurisdiction to pass a by-law requiring that all exterior commercial signs be in English and in French. The by-law, which was...Year: 2010
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Federal Court
Citation: 2010 FC 288
Category: Language rights and services to the public
The purpose of this caseFootnote 1 was to determine whether section 20 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (The Charter) and Part IV of the Official Languages Act (OLA) excluded the possibility for an...Year: 2011
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Federal Court
Citation: 2011 FC 876
Category: Language rights and services to the public
The Federal Court gives precedence to the Official Languages Act (OLA) over an international agreement incorporated into domestic law. a) Background Michel and Lynda Thibodeau (the Thibodeaus) applied for a remedy pursuant to section 77(1) of the ...Year: 2012
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Federal Court of Appeal
Citation: 2012 FCA 246
Category: Language rights and services to the public
The Federal Court of Appeal determines the status of the Official Languages Act (OLA) in relation to an international agreement incorporated into domestic law. a) Background Michel and Lynda Thibodeau (the Thibodeaus) applied for a...Year: 2011
Province or Territory: New Brunswick
Court: Court of Appeal of New Brunswick
Citation: 2011 NBCA 102
Category: Language rights and services to the public
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal confirmed the decisions of the lower courts in R. v Losier,Footnote 1 regarding an accused’s acquittal because his right to communicate with a...Filter by year
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