Since 1867
Official Languages in Canada
Displaying 51 - 70 of 70 result(s)
2002
The new federal immigration law takes effect
It is called the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
2003
The Government of Canada launches the Action Plan for Official Languages
The Action Plan is endowed with an initial budget of $750 million.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
2008
A new Language Rights Support Program replaces the official languages component of the Court Challenges Program, which had been eliminated in 2006
The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne reaches an agreement with the federal government on the creation of a new program.
2008
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut adopts the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act
The Official Languages Act recognizes the official status of the English, French and Inuit languages.
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.
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
Manitoba adopts The Bilingual Service Centres Act
The French Language Services Policy is not backed with legislative guarantees.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.