Online consultations on implementing regulations under the Official Languages Act (administrative monetary penalties) and the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

Current status: Closed

This consultation ran from May 9th 2024 to July 17, 2024.

On June 20, 2023, Bill C-13 (An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages) received royal assent. The Government of Canada has reformed Canada’s official languages regime by modernizing the Official Languages Act and enacting a new law, the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act.

Regulations

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, has been tasked with developing 2 sets of regulations:

• regulations empowering the Commissioner of Official Languages to impose administrative monetary penalties on certain entities subject to the Official Languages Act
• regulations establishing the enforcement regime for the new Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

Objectives

To make informed decisions, the Government needs to have all the relevant information at its disposal. This consultation provides an overview of the challenges identified and suggestions made by the general public and stakeholders. With the resulting insights, the Government will be better able to assess needs, identify problems and find solutions, while also taking into account how Canada’s different linguistic, geographic and demographic realities are being experienced.

Who was the focus of this consultation

We mobilized the general public

Next steps

Your ideas and suggestions will help the Government develop regulations that meet the needs of all Canadians.

Although this consultation has now ended, Canadians will have the opportunity to submit comments during the Canada Gazette, Part 1 public comment period, which could take place in 2026 and last for at least 30 days. When more specific information is available, it will be published on the Consulting with Canadians website.

Additional information on Canada’s official languages

• Modernization of the Official Languages Act
• An act to support the use of French

Contact us

Official Languages Branch
Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street
7th floor
Gatineau QC  J8X 4B3

Email

ReglementsLO-OLRegulations@pch.gc.ca

Telephone

819-994-2222
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 5 pm (ET).