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: 2013
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
Citation: 2013 HRTO 380
Category: Legislative and judicial bilingualism
This case dealt with the right to a bilingual hearing before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Summary In the context of applications filed under the Human Rights Code before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the university asked that the hearing proceed in English only, while...Year: 2013
Province or Territory: Northwest Territories
Court: Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories
Citation: 2013 NWTSC 22
Category: Legislative and judicial bilingualism
In this case, the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories had to determine an appropriate remedy for the violation of the accused’s right to a trial in the language of his choice. Summary Mr. Latour was convicted of a number of charges under the Criminal Code...3. R v Byrnes
Year: 2013
Province or Territory: Ontario
Court: Ontario Court of Justice
Citation: 2013 ONCJ 631
Category: Legislative and judicial bilingualism
The Ontario Court of Justice determined that the adjournment of a French trial infringed the right to a trial within a reasonable time. Background Mr. Byrnes was convicted of speeding by the Ontario Provincial Offence Court and appealed this decision on the grounds...4. R v Weinberg
Year: 2013
Province or Territory: Quebec
Court: Superior Court of Québec
Citation: 2014 QCCS 320
Category: Legislative and judicial bilingualism
The Quebec Superior Court dismissed the Crown’s application to conduct a bilingual trial. Background In a trial in which the co-accused had exercised their right to be tried in English, the Crown applied for a bilingual trial on the grounds that a 200-page accountant’s...Year: 2013
Province or Territory: British Columbia
Court: Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Citation: 2013 BCCA 407
Category: Minority-language education rights
The Court of Appeal for British Columbia determined whether the trial judge respected the procedural rights of the Province of British Columbia in a case dealing with minority-language education. Background This case opposes the representatives of parents living west of Main Street in...Filter by year
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