Articles of interest
Official Languages : The Canadian Reality
History shows that the Official Languages Program is the end result of a long evolution. The right to use the official language of one's choice has been progressively strengthened, and a program that enshrined these rights was established. This process is still ongoing.
These are but some of the milestones along the way:
1774. Quebec Act Concessions in the area of religion and law.
1867. British North America Act Unification of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Section 133:
• Use of French and English in the Parliaments of Canada and Quebec • Official languages compulsory in the Hansard, acts and the archives.
1882. The Civil Service Act called for exams to be given in French, English or both languages, as per the candidate’s preference.
1888. The Civil Service Act stipulated that an annual bonus of $50 would be paid to candidates able to write in the other official language.
1927. Stamps are issued in both languages.
1934. Creation of the Translation Bureau.
1936. Bank notes in both languages.
1945. In Quebec, family allowance cheques are issued in both languages.
1959. Simultaneous interpretation in the House of Commons.
1961. The Civil Service Act stipulates that the number of employees competent in English, French or both languages must be sufficient to provide effective service to the public.
1962. Allowance cheques are issued in both languages across the country.
1963. Creation of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. (The Laurendeau-Dunton Commission)
1964. Language Training Office 1967. Creation of a Bilingual Secretariat in the Privy Council Office and recruitment of bilingualism advisers in departments and agencies. Expo 67 The Public Service Employment Act included language as part of merit.
1968. The first Official Languages Act (OLA)
• Equality of English and French • Service to the public in both official languages in the National Capital Region, in bilingual regions and to the travelling public. • Creation of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (OCOL).
1974. Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
1977. Bilingual bonus of $800
1978. Amendments to the Criminal Code regarding official languages before the courts
1982. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The Constitution Act, 1982, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is proclaimed - 10 sections in the Charter deal with official languages
1988. The new Official Languages Act is passed by Parliament
• The new Act clarifies the obligations in the Charter (1982) regarding the use of both languages in government services and in federal institutions. • It also makes reference to the government's commitment to promote linguistic duality in Canadian society and support the development of linguistic communities in minority settings.
1999. Creation of an Interdepartmental Partnership with official languages communities Launch of the Year of La Francophonie in Canada The 8th Francophone Summit in Moncton The 4th Francophone Games in Hull, Ottawa
Did you know that:
Canada's French-speaking population ranks second only to France worldwide. It is larger than the Francophone populations of Switzerland and Belgium combined.
The number of Francophones outside Quebec equals the population of an entire province like Saskatchewan, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.
One Canadian in four has French as a mother tongue and close to one Canadian in three speaks French.
1.6 million of Canada's French-speaking population have an ancestry other than French or English. Over the past 20 years, the number of bilingual Canadians has doubled. For a growing number of Canadians, bilingualism has become not only a personal asset but also an important part of their sense of national identity. Proud and conscious of this diversity and eager to improve the equity and quality of their services, many organizations are taking the decision to operate in both official languages.
Ref: Canadian Heritage