All events for 2010 – 2019
2010
Stephen Harper’s federal government eliminates the mandatory long-form census questionnaire
It will now be more difficult to obtain specific data on official language minority communities.
2010
The Federal Court determines whether patents and patent applications must be bilingual
The Federal Court ruled that the unilingual publication of patent information by the Commissioner of Patents constitutes a violation of Part VII of the Official Languages Act and ordered that patent abstracts be made available in both official languages.
2010
The Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario is created in northern Ontario
The mission of the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario is to improve access to French language health care services for Francophones living in Northern Ontario.
2011
New Brunswick courts acquit an accused because of language rights violations by a peace officer
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal confirmed an acquittal by a lower court based on a peace officer’s failure to make an active offer of service in both official languages to the accused.
2011
Ontario introduces French licence plates
Ontarians can now order a plate with the French version of the Yours to discover provincial slogan—Tant à découvrir—or even the Franco-Ontarian flag.
2011
The Université de Saint-Boniface Act is adopted
Manitoba’s Université de Saint-Boniface gets new powers and privileges.
2011
The États généraux de la francophonie d’Ottawa is held in Ottawa
On June 17, 2011, the États généraux de la francophonie d’Ottawa was officially launched at Ottawa City Hall during the Festival franco-ontarien.
2011
The Ontario government adopts a regulation to clarify the obligations of the French Language Services Act
It is called Ontario Regulation 284/11: Provision of French Language Services on Behalf of Government Agencies.
2012
Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
This designation formally recognizes the Acadian people for their contribution to world heritage.
2012
Manitoba adopts The Bilingual Service Centres Act
The French Language Services Policy is not backed with legislative guarantees.
2012
Saskatchewan declares 2012 as the Year of the Fransaskois
This celebration commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise.
2012
The first French Language World Forum is held in Québec City
Its objective is to give Francophones from all five continents the opportunity to discuss French-language issues in a non-institutional setting.
2013
A new group called Seniors Action Quebec is founded
It motto is “A seniors network… for seniors… by seniors.”
2013
Katherine d’Entremont is appointed as second Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick
Ms. d’Entremont served as Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick from 2013 to 2018.
2013
Prince Edward Island revises its French Language Services Act
The French Language Services Act is revised after extensive consultations within the provincial government and the community.
2013
The Quebec Court of Appeal rules on multiple language rights violations during criminal proceedings
The Quebec Court of Appeal found that there had been numerous language rights violations during joint criminal proceedings and ordered new trials.
2013
The Supreme Court of Canada is called upon to determine whether British Columbia Supreme Court judges have the discretion to allow documents written solely in French to be admitted into evidence in civil court proceedings
The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, the Fédération des parents francophones de la Colombie-Britannique and a group of parents initiated proceedings pursuant to section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for permission to introduce into evidence documents written solely in French.
2013
The World Trade Centre Winnipeg opens in Manitoba
The organization is a member of the World Trade Centers Association, a major international trade network representing 300 World Trade Centres in nearly 100 countries.
2013
French-speaking community mobilizes to help save CBEF Windsor radio station
In 2009, when CBC/Radio-Canada announced budget cuts affecting local programming at CBEF Windsor, a French-language radio station in southern Ontario, the Francophone community created SOS CBEF to speak out against the cuts and their potential impact on the community.
2014
Canadian Parents for French returns to Quebec
Canadian Parents for French launches a community outreach project in Quebec.
2014
For the first time, the World Acadian Congress is held in two countries
Canada and the United States play host to the 5th quinquennial World Acadian Congress.
2014
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opens its doors
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Museum is the realization of a dream of the late Israel “Izzy” Asper following a long 14-year journey.
2014
The États généraux de la francophonie manitobaine are held in Manitoba
The event is organized by the Société franco-manitobaine.
2014
The Fête Fransaskoise festival returns
After a 10-year hiatus due to a lack of funding, the Fête is revived by the Conseil culturel fransaskois.
2014
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that damages may not be awarded if language rights are violated during international air travel
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (known as the Montréal Convention) precludes awarding damages under section 77 of the Official Languages Act for violations of language rights that occurred during international travel by air.
2014
Federal government announces the Marine Rescue Sub-Centre in Québec City will remain open
In 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the closure of the Marine Rescue Sub-Centre in Québec City, triggering strong reactions from people worried about losing the public’s right to be served in French.
2015
Newfoundland and Labrador adopts its French Languages Services Policy
The Policy aims to ensure a more consistent and coordinated approach to service delivery in French throughout the provincial government.
2015
Ontario celebrates 400 years of French presence
The community celebrations of 400 years of French presence in Ontario are a living testament to the contribution of Franco-Ontarians from 1615 to 2015.
2015
The City of Halifax apologizes to Nova Scotia’s Acadians and Francophones
The Nova Scotian capital acknowledged the harm it had caused regarding school taxes collected from Acadians and Francophones that were used to fund only English-language schools.
2015
The Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories rules on the scope of the government’s discretion regarding admission to French-language schools
The Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories allowed the appeal and overturned the decision of the trial judge with regard to both the constitutionality of a ministerial directive affecting admission to French-language schools and the analysis of whether the numbers warranted expansion of École Boréale.
2015
The Federal Court examines the reasonableness of the measures taken by the Canada Revenue Agency in relation to language of work
The Federal Court determined that the right of members of the public to communicate with and receive services from the Canada Revenue Agency in their preferred official language takes precedence over the constitutional language-of-work rights of employees of that institution—in this case, Luc Tailleur.
2015
The Supreme Court of Canada rules on issues of bias and the role of the Yukon Francophone School Board in admissions
The Supreme Court of Canada first looked into the apprehension of bias on the part of the trial judge and found problems with the trial judge’s conduct.
The Court then determined the Yukon Francophone School Board’s role in setting admission criteria.
2015
The Supreme Court of Canada upholds the validity of Alberta’s unilingual statutes
The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the constitutionality of the Languages Act of 2000, which provides that Alberta laws may be enacted in English only.
2015
The Supreme Court of Canada determines how to establish equivalence between minority and majority language schools
The Supreme Court of Canada found that the minority language education offered at the Rose-des-Vents elementary school was not equivalent to the education offered in the majority language as is required under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
September 1, 2015
La Cité universitaire francophone opens in Regina, Saskatchewan
La Cité is the result of a merger between the University of Regina’s Institut français and its Department of French.
2016
The first French-language legal information centre opens in Manitoba
Infojustice Manitoba is established by the Société franco-manitobaine.
February 22, 2016
More than 100 years after the passing of Regulation 17, the Government of Ontario apologizes to Franco-Ontarians
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne apologizes formally for this legislation.
2016
Interim Commissioner of Official Languages Ghislaine Saikaley calls for reforms
Under Mrs. Saikaley’s leadership, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages initiates discussions on its position on amending the Official Languages Act.
2017
The Government of Alberta adopts its French Policy
After years of lobbying by the Franco-Albertan community, the provincial government establishes a policy that recognizes Alberta’s French-speaking population.
2017
Notre Place becomes the official anthem of Franco-Ontarians
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed the motion made by Glengarry–Prescott–Russell MPP Grant Crack to recognize the song Notre Place as the official anthem of Francophones in Ontario.
2018
The University of Ottawa celebrates 50 years of expertise in official languages and bilingualism
For five decades, academic excellence, innovation and commitment to bilingualism have been part of the University of Ottawa’s vision.
2018
Raymond Théberge takes over the helm at the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Raymond Théberge enters into office as Commissioner of Official Languages on January 29, 2018.
2018
Michel A. Carrier returns as Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick
He is appointed as Interim Commissioner after Commissioner Katherine d’Entremont retires.
2019
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario closes its doors
In December 2018, the Ontario Legislative Assembly passed Bill 57, which made cuts to French language services in Ontario, including the abolition of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner (OFLSC).
2019
The Government decides to reinstate the Court Challenges Program
After its elimination in 2006 and replacement by the Language Rights Support Program in 2008, the Court Challenges Program (CCP) was restored by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government in February 2017.
2019
The new Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, Shirley MacLean
Ms. MacLean begins her seven-year mandate as Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, replacing Michel A. Carrier, who has served as Interim Commissioner since July 2018.
2019
The Official Languages Act celebrates its 50th anniversary
Adopted in 1969 in response to one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, the Official Languages Act celebrates its golden anniversary.
2019
The Royal Canadian Mint unveils a collector coin for the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act
At a ceremony held at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, the institution unveiled a silver collector coin created for the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act.