Speeches
By publication year
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The Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada is an agent of Parliament whose duty is to promote Canada’s official languages and protect the language rights of Canadians. A critical component of the Commissioner’s job is to report to parliamentary committees in both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada. The Commissioner of Official Languages also travels from coast to coast, participating in panel discussions, meeting key partners and delivering speeches on official languages to young Canadians, researchers, public service employees and community leaders. You will find many of his speeches here.
2021
Symposium at the University of Alberta: Reconciling Multiculturalism in Today’s Canada
Friday, November 12, 2021
I’m very pleased to be part of this national dialogue on multiculturalism and to be participating in this opportunity that celebrates our diverse voices. I think that this multidisciplinary approach to tackling the social questions of our time is the key to moving forward in a way that will bring...
Education and Vitality Forum: Supporting English-language minority education in Quebec
Friday, November 05, 2021
I’d like to thank the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) for inviting me to speak with you. I had the pleasure of speaking at your Forum in 2018, and I’m very pleased to see another opportunity to bring together researchers, practitioners, stakeholders and policy-makers...
Language Rights and Francophones in Minority Settings: The Language Commissioners Speak
Friday, October 22, 2021
Recent events have served as a reminder of the often-tragic nature of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers in Canada. We need to reflect on the many contributions Indigenous peoples have made to our country’s history so that we can continue to move forward on the journey toward...
Notes for an address on Linguistic Duality Day
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
I would like to acknowledge that I’m speaking to you from Treaty One territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. I am happy to be joining you in your respective territories and communities.
Speaking Notes for an Appearance Before the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
Monday, June 07, 2021
On February 19, the federal government released its reform document entitled English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada.
Opening remarks for the Archives and Libraries in Official Language Minority Communities – Issues and Future national conference
Thursday, May 20, 2021
First, I’d like to congratulate Library and Archives Canada and its partners for their proactive efforts, which have made it possible to begin defining the relationship between memory and vitality. This is important work to better support official language minority communities in Canada.
Notes for an address at the launch of Atlantic Region Official Languages Week 2021
Monday, May 17, 2021
Although today’s meeting is taking place virtually, it is important to mention that I am speaking to you from Treaty One territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the home of the Métis Nation.
Commissioner’s speech for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission public hearing (CRTC)
Friday, January 22, 2021
Thank you for the opportunity to offer my perspective on the renewal of the broadcasting licences for various CBC/Radio-Canada services. Here with me are Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner of our Policy and Communications Branch; Jean Marleau, Acting Assistant Commissioner of our Compliance...
