Federal language laws: Modernization and new obligations

The Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages:

• modernizes the Official Languages Act
• creates a new law: the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

Modernization of the Official Languages Act

The modernized Official Languages Act clarifies the existing obligations of federal institutions with respect to communications with and services to the travelling public (Part IV) and expands the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages so that the Commissioner can impose administrative monetary penalties (Part IX).

Find out more about the proposed regulations on administrative monetary penalties under the Official Languages Act

The new Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

This law establishes new rights with respect to federally regulated private businesses in Quebec and in certain regions with a strong Francophone presence: the right of employees to work in French and the right of consumers to receive services in French.

Find out more about the Act to Support the Use of French

English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada

The document presents the Government of Canada's vision for official languages reform aimed at modernizing and strengthening the Official Languages Act and its related instruments. It details concrete proposals to better protect and promote official languages and optimize existing measures.

Read the document