Other language rights

Parliamentary debates and proceedings

Under the Official Languages Act, members of Parliament and the public have the right to use the official language of their choice in Parliament.

Parliament is required to provide simultaneous interpretation from one official language into the other during its debates and proceedings and must ensure that its official reports are available in both official languages. In addition, the records of debates and other parliamentary proceedings (for example, appearances before parliamentary committees) must be available in both official languages.

Parliamentarians

The Official Languages Act applies only to members of Parliament who are performing duties on behalf of the Government of Canada (for example, if they are the head of a department and are speaking on its behalf).

Therefore, the Act does not apply to parliamentarians when they are working in their personal offices. When they perform certain activities solely in their capacity as the Member of Parliament for their riding, they have privileges and immunity under the Official Languages Act.

Legislative documents

Acts of Parliament must be passed, printed and published in both official languages.

The justice system

When you appear before a federal court, you have the right to be heard by a judge who understands, without the assistance of an interpreter, the official language you have chosen to use.

Courts are also required to provide simultaneous interpretation from one official language into the other (for example, to understand witnesses) and publish their final decisions in both official languages.

Examples of federal courts: