1969
The Official Languages Act is passed, and the position of Commissioner of Official Languages is created
In response to a recommendation made by the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s government passes the Official Languages Act.
The Official Languages Act recognized the equality of status of both English and French in all federal institutions. Its primary goal was to ensure that Canadians had access to federal services in the official language of their choice.
The Act also stipulated the appointment of a Commissioner of Official Languages, whose role is to oversee the application of the Act, investigate complaints from the public, conduct studies and report to Parliament.
Source: Library and Archives Canada, Archival reference number R11473-11, C-151887
