All events for 2000 – 2009
2000
The Arsenault-Cameron case defines the extent of minority language education rights
In its decision, the Supreme Court of Canada maintains that section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms “is premised on the fact that substantive equality requires that official language minorities be treated differently, if necessary, according to their particular circumstances and needs, in order to provide them with a standard of education equivalent to that of the official language majority.”
2000
The first Frye Festival is held
This bilingual international literary festival was created in honour of Northrop Frye (1912–1991), who grew up in Moncton, New Brunswick. It welcomes English- and French-speaking authors and attracts audiences from both official language communities.
2001
In the Charlebois case, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal declares that New Brunswick municipalities are subject to the language obligations set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Further to this ruling, the New Brunswick government would undertake a review of the province’s Official Languages Act.
2001
The first minister responsible for official languages is appointed
The federal government assigns responsibility for the interdepartmental coordination of official languages files to Stéphane Dion.
2001
The Jeux de la Francophonie are held on Canadian soil for the first time
From July 14 to 24, the National Capital Region welcomes Francophones from around the world.
2001
The Court of Appeal for Ontario overturns the decision to close the Hôpital Montfort
In 1997, the Ontario Health Services Restructuring Commission had announced its intention to close the Montfort hospital, the only French-language university hospital in the entire province.
2002
Manitoba’s first Bilingual Service Centre opens in St. Boniface
The Centres are a direct result of the recommendations in the Chartier Report, Above All, Common Sense.
2002
New Brunswick passes a new Official Languages Act
The new Act is a legislative milestone for the Government of New Brunswick.
2002
The French Language Health Services Network is created in Prince Edward Island
This organization strives to increase access to French-language health and social services for Acadian and Francophone Prince Edward Islanders.
It was incorporated in 2013 and became the PEI French Health Network.
2002
The Franco-Nunavut flag is adopted
In the Franco-Nunavut flag, the blue represents the Arctic sky, and the white represents snow, which is abundant in this vast territory.
2002
The new federal immigration law takes effect
It is called the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
2002
The Société Santé en français is created
The Société brings together key partners providing health and social services.
August 6, 2002
The City of Moncton, New Brunswick, becomes officially bilingual
It is the first Canadian city to show off its bilingualism!
2003
Accueil francophone opens in Manitoba
The aim of the organization is to contribute to community development by welcoming French-speaking immigrants and helping them to settle in Manitoba.
2003
Gabrielle Roy House opens in Manitoba
Gabrielle Roy’s childhood home is an important symbol that often appears in the author’s work.
2003
RésoSanté is a non-profit provincial organization that promotes French-language health and welfare services in British Columbia
The organization was created following provincial and national studies that showed differences in access to health services faced by Francophone minority communities in Canada.
2003
The Government of Canada launches the Action Plan for Official Languages
The Action Plan is endowed with an initial budget of $750 million.
2003
The Northwest Territories branch of Canadian Parents for French is founded
It is the eleventh provincial/territorial branch of the Canadian Parents for French network.
2003
The Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan is created
The Réseau’s mandate is to promote, protect and improve access to French-language health services in Saskatchewan.
2003
The Supreme Court of Canada hands down its ruling in the Doucet-Boudreau case
It confirms that the courts must issue effective, responsive remedies that guarantee full and meaningful protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
2003
A French language health services network takes root in Alberta
Through an agreement with the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta, Alberta’s Francophone community gives the Réseau santé albertain a mandate to develop the delivery of French language health services in the province.
2003
The Société Santé et Mieux-être en français du Nouveau-Brunswick is created
The Société Santé et Mieux-être en français du Nouveau-Brunswick improves and promotes health services and programs in New Brunswick’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
2003
A French language health services network is created in Nova Scotia
Réseau Santé – Nouvelle-Écosse is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the delivery of health care services to Acadians and Francophones in Nova Scotia.
2003
A French language health services network is created in southern Ontario
The French Health Network of Central Southwestern Ontario is a non-profit organization that helps to develop French language health services in the central southwestern region of the province.
2003
A French language health services network is created in the Northwest Territories
The mission of the Réseau TNO santé en français is to help improve access to French language health and social services for the Northwest Territories’ Francophone community.
2003
A French language health services network is created in Yukon
The Partenariat communauté en santé network works together with its partners to improve overall health and well-being in Yukon’s Francophone community.
April 1, 2003
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick opens its doors
Michel A. Carrier is New Brunswick’s first Commissioner of Official Languages.
December 10, 2003
A royal proclamation acknowledges the injustices inflicted on Acadians during their deportation
In her proclamation, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges the tragic consequences of the deportation.
2004
Imperative staffing becomes the norm in the public service
New Treasury Board official language policies and directives state that from now on, apart from exceptions approved by the deputy minister or assistant deputy minister, bilingual positions must be staffed by individuals who are bilingual when they are hired.
2004
In two cases (Raîche and Forum des maires de la péninsule acadienne), the courts rule on the scope of section 41 of the Official Languages Act
The Courts twice ruled that this section, which deals with support for the development of official language minority communities, does not impose any specific obligation on federal institutions.
2004
Nova Scotia passes its French Language Services Act
This Act aims to foster the ongoing development of the province’s Acadian and Francophone community and specifies the terms and conditions under which provincial institutions provide services in French.
2004
Newfoundland and Labrador celebrates 500 years of French in the province
The rich history of Franco-Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is celebrated in 35 communities, only 9 of which are home to Acadians and Francophones. The event promotes unity and community.
2004
The Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut is created
The capital of Iqaluit is home to only French school board in Nunavut, which means “our land,” Inuit land. It covers the largest territory in Canada and has the fewest number of students!
2004
The Government of Saskatchewan adopts its French-Language Services Policy
In the Policy, the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that linguistic duality is a fundamental characteristic of Canada.
2004
The rural municipality of St. Laurent, Manitoba, receives international recognition for its authentic Métis culture
St. Laurent is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
2004
A French language health services network is created in Manitoba
The government of Manitoba names Santé en français as the Francophone community’s official representative for health and social services.
2004
A French language health services network is created in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Réseau santé en français de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador brings together key partners in Newfoundland and Labrador’s health care system to ensure access to French language health services for the province’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
2005
Parliament adopts Bill S-3, which concerns Part VII of the Official Languages Act
This amendment to the Act consolidates the legal foundations of Canadian duality.
2005
The Federal Court rules in favour of the use of both official languages by RCMP officers on the Trans-Canada Highway in Amherst, Nova Scotia
The Federal Court ruled that having French-speaking motorists use a police radio to communicate with a bilingual RCMP officer does not meet the language rights requirements stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
2005
The Centre scolaire et communautaire des Grands-Vents opens in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
The community centre and school share a library that is accessible to the public. The Centre is also home to several Francophone community organizations.
2005
The Supreme Court of Canada favours continuity in language of education
The Supreme Court of Canada handed down its decision on whether the requirement that children receive the “major part” of their education in English in order to obtain a certificate of eligibility to attend English public school, pursuant to section 73(2) of Quebec’s Charter of the French Language, is consistent with minority language education rights protected under section 23(2) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
2006
Graham Fraser is appointed as the sixth Commissioner of Official Languages
Commissioner Fraser emphasizes linguistic duality as a Canadian value and bilingualism as a leadership skill in the federal public service.
2006
The Coalition for the Promotion of the French Language and Francophone Culture in Saskatchewan is created
It launches Francofièvre to give Saskatchewan youth an exciting experience in French.
2006
The federal government decides to eliminate the Court Challenges Program
Official language minority communities mobilize in the wake of the decision.
2006
The Quebec Policy on the Canadian Francophonie is adopted
The policy seeks to give Quebec a coordinating role and commits the province to taking concrete actions to support Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
2006
Launch of the Monuments to Ottawa’s Francophonie
Launched in 2006, this community project initially aimed to build six monuments to the Francophonie in Ottawa to recognize the Francophone presence in the National Capital Region.
2007
The appointment of a French Language Services Commissioner marks a turning point in Ontario
On August 1, François Boileau becomes Ontario’s first French Language Services Commissioner.
2007
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that Air Canada violated Part IV of the Official Languages Act
The Federal Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against two Federal Court decisions regarding a violation of Part IV of the Official Languages Act and compensation awarded against Air Canada.
2007
The Estates General on Arts and Culture in Acadian Society is held in New Brunswick
These meetings will lead to the adoption of the Global Strategy for the Integration of Arts and Culture into Acadian Society in New Brunswick.