Hot issues - Appearance of Minister Miller at Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

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• Question Period Card
  • The importance of official languages in Canada
  • Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration
  • Regulations under the modernized Official Languages Act and under the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act
  • Official languages governance and government-wide coordination
  • Government of Canada contribution to support the French language in Quebec
  • Support for the English-speaking communities of Quebec
  • Restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophones through immigration
  • Financial situation of post-secondary institutions in Official Language Minority Communities
  • Protocol for Agreements for Education
  • Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy
  • Creation and dissemination of scientific information in French
  • Strengthening the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages
  • Process for appointing the Commissioner of Official Languages

Question Period Card

The importance of official languages in Canada

Update

January 12, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

Our official languages are a priority for the Government of Canada. They are central to Canadian identity and support the diversification of the Canadian economy.

Recommended response

• Our official languages are central to Canadian identity and continue to be a priority for our government.
• Our two official languages bring communities and Canadians together and project the image of a diversified, open and united country.
• The countries of the international Francophonie generate a significant portion of the global economy. Having two official languages is an asset that promotes the diversification of our economy.

Background

• English and French derive their status as the official languages of Canada from subsection 16(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 23 of the Charter affords all Canadians who meet the applicable criteria the right to have their children educated in the minority language.
• The official languages are more than an administrative tool: they are a reflection of Canada's history, the foundation of its diversity and a pillar of its national identity. They embody a vision of society based on coexistence, mutual recognition and equality among cultures.
• Official bilingualism signals openness, tolerance and respect for differences, values that are central to modern Canadian identity.
• With multicultural identities on the rise, Canadians as a whole share few points of commonality. One of those is the official languages, with over 98% of the population speaking one, or both official languages, those languages are a vehicle for national unity and help curb polarization.
• Canada’s two official languages are a distinctive feature of the country and a strategic asset for diversifying international trade relationships and expanding market access. For example, French is a gateway to Francophone markets around the world, with Canada already counting France, Switzerland and Côte d'Ivoire among its major trading partners.
• Official bilingualism gives workers a strong edge in the labour market, boosting their employability and mobility across Canada and abroad.
• In 2023, the Government of Canada modernized and strengthened the Official Languages Act and unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, a five-year, government-wide strategy representing an unprecedented investment of $4.1 billion. This includes $1.4 billion in new funding compared with the previous five-year strategy, with 33 new or enhanced initiatives and 49 renewed initiatives in various sectors essential to enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities. These initiatives include Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs, which play a key role in such areas as working with the provinces and territories to implement the investments in education.
• On May 13, 2025, the Prime Minister of Canada unveiled his Cabinet of 28 ministers. Of these, 15 report in their profiles on the Parliament of Canada website, being able to speak both English and French.
• Canadian Francophone organizations say they are very pleased to have a minister with “Official Languages” in his title. According to the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the reinstatement of this reference demonstrates that the Prime Minister understands the importance of Canada’s linguistic duality as a key vehicle for Canada’s national identity and sovereignty.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O'Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration

Update

January 12, 2026

Sources

• Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration
• Accountability Framework - Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration

Synopsis

The Government of Canada has implemented all 33 of the new or enhanced initiatives in Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. When combined with the 49 ongoing initiatives from previous Action Plans, the 19 federal partners of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 are delivering 82 initiatives in support of official languages, worth $4.1 billion over 5 years.

Recommended response

• The implementation of the 2023–2028 Action Plan is underway and continues to pursue its main objective of protecting and promoting our two official languages.
• This significant investment of 4.1 billion dollars over five years supports Francophone immigration objectives, promotes learning opportunities in both official languages, and supports the delivery of essential services to official language minority communities
• The mid-term review of the Action Plan 2023-2028 is nearing completion and reveals that all the initiatives are having a positive impact on official language minority communities, but that improvements should be considered to reduce processing times at the beginning of the fiscal year. A report will be made public soon.

Background

• The 19 federal institutions partnering in Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 (Action Plan 2023-2028) continue to implement the initiatives in that five-year government strategy, which represents a historic official languages investment of $4.1 billion over five years—including $1.4 billion in new funding—shared among 82 initiatives.
• By the end of Year 1 (2023–2024), 29 of the 33 new or enhanced initiatives had been put in place, for a total new-funding disbursement of $183 million. This new funding was in addition to the $549 million in ongoing funding for 49 renewed historical initiatives, bringing total Year 1 disbursements to $732 million. Canadian Heritage’s Annual Report on Official Languages 2023-2024, released in June 2025, reports on the progress and key results of this first year of implementation.
• In Year 2 (2024–2025), all 82 initiatives were fully in place, with a total of over $780 million in funds disbursed.
• From Year 3 to Year 5, annual disbursements of between $840 million to $850 million per year (20 to 22% of the total $4.1 billion envelope) are anticipated.
• Here are some of the key milestones reached during the first two years of implementation of Action Plan 2023-2028:
  • In 2023–2024, Canadian Heritage prioritized the intergovernmental agreements on the distribution of funding to the provinces and territories, both for education and for services, and the increase in core funding for community organizations.
  • On January 16, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a series of initiatives to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec, including a new Policy on Francophone Immigration.
  • On March 1, 2024, the Minister responsible for Official Languages announced an immediate 12.5% increase, until 2028, in Canadian Heritage’s funding for over 300 organizations working to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and protect and promote the official languages in Canada. This funding could be increased by up to 25% in the coming years in the case of organizations whose work aligns with Action Plan 2023-2028 priorities.
  • Action Plan 2023-2028 provides funding for a portion of the network of over 400 non-governmental organizations working to support the official languages and the communities that speak them across Canada. Of the $1.4 billion in new funding, some $304 million is going directly to community organizations and stakeholders to foster the development of their communities.
  • In 2023–2024, Canadian Heritage launched the Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act (formerly known as the Centre for Strengthening Part VII of the Official Languages Act). This partnership between Canadian Heritage and the Treasury Board Secretariat will help strengthen leadership within the federal administration, ensure coordination of federal efforts, and foster greater collaboration with Canadians, for the benefit and increased visibility of our official languages—and the protection and promotion of French across Canada.
  • In 2024–2025, dialogue sessions were undertaken with community organizations and official languages stakeholders to work out how the new or improved initiatives could be implemented “by and for” communities.
  • An Accountability Framework covering the overarching societal objectives of Action Plan 2023-2028 was made available to Canadians via Canada.ca on June 4, 2025.
  • Annual reporting on the Action Plan as a whole and on its 82 individual initiatives will continue to be improved, including by way of a public dashboard showing the status of implementation (disbursements and tangible results for Canadians).
  • The mid-term review exercise for Action Plan 2023-2028 was launched in fall 2025 with dialogue sessions that will provide an opportunity to take stock of the first years of implementation. A report on the mid-term review will then be published on Canada.ca in spring 2026.
• Action Plan 2023-2028 is structured around four pillars, each with its own initiatives and associated funding amounts:
  • Francophone Immigration: Towards the Re-Establishment of the Demographic Weight of Francophones –This pillar features 7 new or enhanced initiatives totalling $137.2 million over 5 years in new investments.
  • Promoting Lifelong Learning Opportunities – This pillar features 10 new or enhanced initiatives totalling $763.8 million over 5 years in new funding.
  • Strong Measures in Support of Community Vitality – This pillar features 14 initiatives totalling $465.9 million in new funding.
  • Leading by Example: Acting and Collaborating to Strengthen Communities – This pillar features 2 initiatives totalling $22.1 million in new funding.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Regulations under the modernized Official Languages Act and under the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

Update

January 12, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

On December 9, 2025, the draft regulations for Part VII were tabled in the House of Commons, following the tabling on November 26, 2025, of the draft regulations on the new powers for the Commissioner of Official Languages to issue administrative monetary penalties. As for the regulations on the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses, work is continuing and the draft regulations will be tabled this spring.

Recommended response

• We have tabled draft regulations supporting the new power of the Commissioner of Official Languages to impose administrative monetary penalties.
• We have also tabled draft regulations on Part VII of the modernised Official Languages Act and working towards the tabling the draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses.
• These regulations are key to fully implementing our language reform and once again demonstrate our commitment to substantive equality of English and French.

Background

• On December 9, 2025, draft regulations for Part VII were tabled in the House of Commons, following the tabling on November 26, 2025, of draft regulations on the new regime of administrative monetary penalties. As for the regulations on the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses (UFPBA), work is continuing, and the draft regulations will be tabled in due course.
• They will then be subject to a mandatory 30-sitting-day period in the House of Commons before being pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette, which will launch an official consultation period for a mandatory 30-sitting-day period in both Houses.
• An online consultation was conducted in 2024, and over 1,300 Canadians responded. Other mandatory consultations were held in 2025, including with the provinces and territories and with groups representing Indigenous Peoples. Public participation has informed the development of impact analyses and regulatory options.

Regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses – led by Canadian Heritage

• The regulations on federally regulated private businesses are the responsibility of Canadian Heritage. They are intended to prescribe the way the UFPBA is to be implemented, including by defining “region with a strong Francophone presence” and establishing the minimum number of employees that a business must have to be subject to the UFPBA.

Regulations for the new administrative monetary penalties regime – led by Canadian Heritage

• The regulations for the new administrative monetary penalties regime are the responsibility of Canadian Heritage. They are intended to provide a framework for the use of the Commissioner of Official Languages’ new power to impose administrative monetary penalties in respect of violations of Part IV (Communications with and Services to the Public) of the Official Languages Act. The purpose of this power is to strengthen the compliance of federal institutions – particularly those in the passenger transportation sector – with their communications with and services to the public obligations.

Regulations under Part VII of the modernized Official Languages Act – led by Treasury Board Secretariat

• The Part VII regulations are the responsibility of the Treasury Board Secretariat, though Canadian Heritage will be playing a supporting role. The purpose of the regulations is to clarify and circumscribe the duties of federal institutions with respect to promoting official languages and supporting the development of official language minority communities.

Steps in the regulatory process

• Step 1: Carry out pre-consultations with various stakeholders, develop regulatory options and organize information sessions.
• Step 2: Follow the mandatory consultation process set out in sections 84, 85 and 86 of the Official Languages Act and the similar process for federally regulated private businesses set out in sections 34, 35 and 36 of the UFPBA.
  • Section 84: The minister of the Crown who is responsible for the provision shall, at a time and in a manner appropriate to the circumstances, seek the views of members of the English and French linguistic minority communities and, if appropriate, members of the public generally on the proposed regulation.
  • Section 85: The minister of the Crown who is responsible for the provision shall lay a draft of the proposed regulation before the House of Commons at least 30 days before a copy of the regulation is pre-published in the Canada Gazette under section 86.
  • Section 86: A copy of each regulation that the Governor in Council proposes to make under the Official Languages Act shall be published in the Canada Gazette at least 30 days before its proposed effective date, and a reasonable opportunity shall be afforded to interested persons to make representations to the minister of the Crown who is responsible for the provision with respect to the proposed regulations. In calculating the 30-day period, only the days on which both Houses are sitting are to be counted.
• Step 3: Final approval of the regulations by the Treasury Board; coming into force of the regulations and publication of the approved regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II; and organization of information sessions on next steps.
• Step 4: The timing of the order-in-council needs to reflect the state of the regulatory work. Moreover, the order-in-council must be timed to coincide with or follow the pre-publication of the sets of draft regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II. This step applies to both regulations on the administrative monetary penalties regulations and the regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses regulations.
• Step 5: Negotiation, with the Government of Quebec, of an agreement supporting the harmonious coexistence of the federal (UFPBA) and provincial (Charter of the French Language) regimes covering federally regulated private businesses with workplaces in Quebec.
• In the event of a dissolution of Parliament, all ongoing legislative and regulatory work will be suspended, including work related to the implementation of the draft regulations under the UFPBA and the Official Languages Act.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Official languages governance and government-wide coordination

Update

January 12, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

Canadian Heritage and the Treasury Board are working closely to ensure good governance of the modernized Official Languages Act and coordinate its implementation across government

Recommended response

• Since the modernization of the Official Languages Act, the Government of Canada has implemented a strengthened governance and coordination across government.
• The Treasury Board now plays an enhanced coordination and oversight role in order to improve compliance of federal institutions.
• Canadian Heritage develops and coordinates a government-wide strategy that sets out the overall official languages’ priorities.

Background

• On June 20, 2023, Bill C-13—An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages—received royal assent.
• In terms of governance, the changes and enhancements to the Official Languages Act have had the effect of clarifying the roles of, and fostering greater cooperation between, Canadian Heritage and the Treasury Board, ensuring greater involvement on the part of the Treasury Board, and to supporting the promotion and achievement of greater official languages compliance on the part of federal institutions.
• These changes confer the following legislative mandates on the Treasury Board, its president and the Minister of Canadian Heritage:
  • The President of the Treasury Board is responsible for exercising leadership within the Government of Canada in relation to the implementation of the modernized Official Languages Act.
  • The Treasury Board is responsible for coordinating the implementation of those Parts of the modernized Official Languages Act dealing with language of service, language of work and the representation of English and French speakers in the public service (Parts IV, V and VI of the modernized Official Languages Act). In addition, the Treasury Board is now responsible for establishing, in consultation with Canadian Heritage, policy instruments concerning two obligations of federal institutions: taking positive measures in support of the Government of Canada commitments with respect to advancing the equality of status and use of English and French; and taking the necessary measures to promote the inclusion of language clauses when negotiating agreements with the provinces and territories. Lastly, the Treasury Board monitors federal institutions and holds them accountable on these matters, and its president reports annually to Parliament in this regard.
  • In consultation with the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for developing and maintaining a government-wide strategy setting out the overall official languages priorities and ensuring that that strategy is tabled in Parliament and made available to the public. Canadian Heritage is also responsible for taking measures to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society under Part VII of the modernized Official Languages Act. Lastly, the Minister is responsible for reporting annually to Parliament on matters relating to his official languages mandate.
• One of Canadian Heritage’s responsibilities includes coordinating the five-year government-wide official languages strategies, such as Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. The Action Plan is an important tool for horizontal collaboration between federal institutions and showcases a significant portion of what the Government of Canada is doing to support official languages.
• Canadian Heritage has a long tradition of collaboration with the Treasury Board Secretariat and its Official Languages Centre of Excellence. This includes: planning and executing the annual monitoring process in the form of official languages reviews (collection of information and statistical data on institutional compliance) and organizing the annual Best Practices Forum on Official Languages, Official Languages Day and the annual Conference of Official Languages Champions in collaboration with the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions.
• Furthermore, interdepartmental steering committees and working groups are established to work on solutions to emerging issues, and to drive government priorities. These include: the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Modernization of the Official Languages Act, which has been in operation since 2019 and whose activities are now primarily directed towards the implementation of the modernized Official Languages Act and the development of regulations; the Working Group on Restoring Demographic Weight; and the Working Group on Bilingual Labour Shortages.
• Lastly, under the Official Languages Act, Department of Justice Canada advises the government on legal matters, represents it in disputes relating to language rights, and assumes responsibility for the administration of justice in both official languages.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O'Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Government of Canada contribution to support the French language in Quebec

Update

January 13, 2026

Source

• L’anglicisation du Québec par le Canada est un problème impératif à régler (in French only)

Synopsis

The Government of Canada has recognized that French is in decline, including in Quebec, and has taken legislative and administrative measures in response.

Recommended response

• The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and promoting the French language across Canada, including in Quebec, while protecting the rights of Quebec’s English-speaking communities.
• The modernized Official Languages Act recognizes that French is a minority language in Canada and North America and requires federal institutions to take positive measures to protect and promote French across the country.
• The Government of Canada’s ambitious Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 features a range of initiatives that stand to benefit the Francophone communities of Quebec and of Canada as a whole.

Background

• On July 14, 2025, the member of Parliament for La Pointe-de-l ‘Île from Bloc Québécois published a media article in which he stated that:
  • The Official Languages Act imposes English as one of the official languages in Quebec;
  • Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs exclusively fund the development of English-speaking communities in Quebec;
  • the increase in English-language services in Quebec in the areas of health and justice, as well as in institutions under Quebec jurisdiction, amounts to $3.6 billion since 1978, including $104 million in 2024;
  • The linguistic emergency in Quebec requires, at a minimum, that this province be exempted from the application of the Official Languages Act so that Quebec can be the sole architect of its language policy.
• The Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages enacted a new law, the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act, which will come into force by order-in-council. The purpose of this act is to foster and protect the use of French in federally regulated private businesses in Quebec and in regions with a strong Francophone presence. The regulatory process is ongoing.
• Various initiatives in Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 stand to benefit the Francophone communities of Quebec and of Canada as a whole, as well as the French language more broadly. These include:
  • strengthening federal support for the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie in its role and mandate of promoting the Francophonie in Canada;
  • supporting the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French;
  • creating a new Youth Initiatives Fund, which will provide young Francophones and Francophiles—including Francophone Quebecers—with access to learning opportunities, exchanges and experiences that will strengthen their sense of attachment to the French language and increase their desire to participate actively in the development of that language and of Francophone culture; and
  • expanding the Media Internships initiative from Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023 to include the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
• Federal funding for French in Quebec includes the additional investments in teaching French as a second language. The funding for the recruitment and retention of teachers for French-second-language programs is available to support French in Quebec as well, as is the funding for the minority-language post-secondary sector, which could be used for such purposes as teaching French as a second language to English speakers and allophones.
• A comprehensive bilateral agreement has been concluded with the Government of Quebec for the years 2024-2025 to 2027-2028 regarding minority language education and second language instruction, as well as services in the minority language. This agreement includes an investment of more than $30 million to support the teaching of French as a second language in the province, as well as nearly $1.4 million to support the recruitment and retention of French as a second language teachers.
• Since the first five-year strategy for official languages (i.e., the Action Plan for Official Languages 2003-2008), analysis of results shows that, from one funding cycle to the next, approximately 20% of the funds specifically earmarked to support official language minority communities are usually invested in projects supporting English-speaking communities in Quebec. Since 2015, this amount has represented just over $600 million for initiatives in Quebec, out of a total of $3.3 billion for all of Canada.
• On November 5, 2025, the Quebec government introduced Bill 7 to transform the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques from a government agency into a non-profit organization to, among other things, facilitate the diversification of its funding sources, particularly from other provinces and territories. This change may also result in potential requests for federal government funding for the Centre. Despite this change in status, Quebec's funding would only decrease slightly, from $2.1 million to $1.8 million between 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Support for the English-speaking communities of Quebec

Update

January 13, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

The modernized Official Languages Act includes new provisions in support of Quebec’s English-speaking communities.

Recommended response

• The Government of Canada continues to support the development and vitality of official language minority communities, including English-speaking communities in Quebec.
• Our government supports sectors essential to enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities across Canada, such as culture, education, health, justice and employment.
• The Action Plan for Official Languages provides support to strengthen arts, culture, and heritage programs and build bridges with the province's French-speaking majority.

Background

• The modernized Official Languages Act includes new provisions that, while not exclusively aimed at Quebec’s English-speaking communities, are just as beneficial to these communities as they are to Francophone communities elsewhere in Canada:
  • Explicit acknowledgement in the preamble of the Official Languages Act that the Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities and supporting and assisting their development, taking into account their uniqueness, diversity and historical and cultural contributions to Canadian society
  • Recognition, in the Purpose section of the Act, that the English and French linguistic minority communities have different needs
  • Substantial enhancements to the positive measures provisions of Part VII of the Official Languages Act to strengthen support for official language minority communities, including the English-speaking communities of Quebec
  • A commitment by the Government of Canada to advancing opportunities for members of the English and French linguistic minority communities to pursue quality learning in their own language throughout their lives
  • A commitment to supporting sectors essential to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities (e.g., employment, education, health, science, arts and culture) and to protecting and promoting the presence of strong institutions serving those communities
  • An obligation to periodically estimate the number of children whose parents have the right to have their children receive their instruction in the minority language
• A comprehensive bilateral agreement has been concluded with the Government of Quebec for the years 2024-2025 to 2027-2028 regarding minority language education and second language instruction, as well as services in the minority language. This agreement includes an investment of more than $30 million to support the teaching of French as a second language in the province, as well as nearly $1.4 million to support the recruitment and retention of French as a second language teachers.
• The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration also features a series of measures that could directly benefit Quebec’s English-speaking communities. This financial support will be determined through intergovernmental cooperation with the Government of Quebec on minority-language education and services, as well as measures and investments in support of community organizations working to enhance the vitality of these communities. In addition, the commitments in the modernized Official Languages Act are reflected in the implementation of Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, many of whose initiatives will benefit Quebec’s English-speaking communities, for example:
  • $20.8 million in funding for postsecondary institutions in Quebec. These funds, which are the subject of a bilateral agreement with the Quebec government, could be used, among other things, to teach French as a second language to English-speaking and allophone students, while strengthening opportunities for members of English-speaking communities of Quebec to obtain quality postsecondary education.
  • $62.5 million over 5 years for the creation of a strategic financial envelope and an increase in core funding for community organizations, including organizations within Quebec’s English-speaking communities that are active on the ground
  • $2.5 million over 5 years for the development of Quebec’s English-speaking communities through the arts, heritage and civic participation
  • Nearly $95,000 has been allocated in 2024-2025 to renovate the Geordie Theatre space so that theatre classes and workshops can be offered to young people in the neighbourhood's English-speaking community.
• The Quebec English-Speaking Communities Fund, which came out of Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023 ($5.3 million over 5 years) and has been renewed and made permanent at a level of $6.8 million in the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028; and a number of measures by other federal institutions in sectors essential to Quebec’s English-speaking communities, such as health, access to justice and employment assistance services
• Although English is the majority language in North America, Quebec’s English-speaking communities are a minority within their province. They are located primarily in the Greater Montréal Area but are also found in small communities across the province, in areas such as Pontiac, Lanaudière, the Eastern Townships, Gaspésie, Basse-Côte-Nord, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nunavik and the Magdalen Islands.
• According to Statistics Canada, between 2016 and 2021, the share of Quebecers with English as their only mother tongue barely changed (rising from 7.5% to 7.6%).
• Moreover, the share of Quebecers whose first official language spoken was English rose from 12.0% in 2016 to 13.0% in 2021, closely approaching a threshold last reached in 1981.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophones through immigration

Update

January 13, 2026

Source

• 2024: Ottawa a dépassé sa cible d’immigrants francophones hors du Québec (French only)

Synopsis

Announced on November 4, 2025, Budget 2025 sets new targets for admissions of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec of 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028.

Recommended response

• The modernized Official Languages Act recognizes the importance of Francophone immigration in strengthening the vitality of Francophone minority communities.
• The Government of Canada adopted a Policy on Francophone Immigration with ambitious targets which were met in 2024 and again in 2025.
• Our government will continue to work closely with our partners to achieve our goal of increasing Francophone immigration outside of Quebec to 10,5% by 2028.

Background

• Announced on November 4, 2025, Budget 2025 sets new targets for admissions of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec of 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028.
• In its platform for the federal election on 28 April 2025, the Liberal Party announced a 12% target for Francophone immigration outside Quebec by 2029.
• In 2024, the Government of Canada exceeded its 6% target for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, reaching 7.21%.
  • The President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada agrees that this result is good news and is promising for the years to come.
• On October 24, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which, for the first time, reduces the targets for permanent residents.
  • Despite lowering the overall targets for permanent residents, this Plan includes measures to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec and support their economic prosperity. The Plan contains increased targets for French-speaking immigrants compared with the previous plan which will now represent 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026 and 10% in 2027.
• On January 16, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced measures to promote Francophone immigration outside Quebec, including:
  • a Policy on Francophone Immigration that is based on a series of measures—such as increased promotion and recruitment support efforts, both in Canada and abroad, particularly for specific lines of business—in order to address labour shortages; and that will provide for the development of a new program and new measures dedicated to Francophone economic immigration;
  • the renewal of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, which will see 24 Canadian communities (up from 14) receive funding to foster the integration of French-speaking newcomers; and
  • the introduction of a new Francophone Immigration Support Program that will fund innovative projects to eliminate barriers to Francophone immigration, particularly in terms of promoting Francophone minority communities internationally and supporting and recruiting French-speaking candidates.
• In January 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced that he would establish a temporary two-year cap on international students. In August 2024, the Minister announced a pilot project that would exempt 2,300 French-speaking students from the study permit cap imposed on international students.
• These initiatives are supported by Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, which earmarks $137.2 million for the pillar entitled Francophone Immigration: Towards the Re-Establishment of the Demographic Weight of Francophones to implement 7 initiatives featuring a series of measures in support of the immigration continuum, from promoting Francophone minority communities, to recruiting abroad, to successfully integrating newcomers.
• The modernized Official Languages Act requires Canada to adopt a Francophone immigration policy with objectives, targets and indicators, as well as a statement that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Francophone immigration in enhancing the vitality of French linguistic minority communities, including by restoring and increasing their demographic weight.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Financial situation of post-secondary institutions in Official Language Minority Communities

Update

January 13, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

Post-secondary institutions in official language minority communities often face limited funding and rely on public funds (federal, provincial and territorial governments), but these are often considered insufficient.

Recommended response

• The modernized Official Languages Act provides for the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthen opportunities for lifelong learning in the official language of one's choice, which includes access to quality post-secondary education.
• The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 allocates $120 million from 2024 to 2028, to support post-secondary institutions in official language minority communities.
• These investments encourage the diversification of the Canadian economy and our trade relations and help to increase the bilingual Canadian workforce.

Background

• Post-secondary institutions in official language minority communities often face limited funding and rely on public funds (federal, provincial and territorial), but these are often considered insufficient.
• In its platform for the federal election on 28 April 2025, the Liberal Party of Canada proposed the creation of scholarships to support Francophone students pursuing post-secondary education in French in a minority context.
• Announced on 17 February 2025, the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028 includes $498.5 million in additional funding, including $104 million to support post-secondary education in the minority language for the period 2024 -2028.
• Further to the announcement of Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, Canadian Heritage obtained $120 million over four years, starting in 2024–2025, to support post-secondary education in the minority language. This is in addition to the $30.4 million announced in Budget 2021 for the 2023–2024 period. Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 also includes $8.5 million over five years to support the creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge in French across Canada, including funding to support research and researchers in universities.
• On 18 April 2024, the Standing Committee on Official Languages tabled its report, Openness to the International Francophone Community: Optimizing Francophone Immigration to Canada, in which it recommended, among other things, that the Government of Canada permanently increase funding for French-language post-secondary institutions in minority communities so that they can continue to offer programs and services to students.
• On 8 April 2024, the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne, which represents 22 post-secondary institutions, filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Official Languages challenging the decision of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to impose a cap on the amount of study permits for foreign students. According to the organization, the decision did not take into account the impact on Francophone institutions or the new obligations relating to the process leading to federal institutions' policy decisions set out in Part VII of the Official Languages Act. The Commissioner of Official Languages is currently continuing his investigation.
• On 14 August 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced the launch of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. The pilot program is a flagship measure of the Francophone Immigration Policy and will benefit Francophone minority communities by helping them attract and retain foreign students.
• The Official Languages Act contains provisions that aim to advance formal, non-formal and informal opportunities for members of English and French linguistic minority communities to pursue quality learning in their own language throughout their lives, including from early childhood to post-secondary education.
• Education is a provincial and territorial jurisdiction. The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for establishing plans, setting goals and priorities of their education programs. The Government of Canada supports post-secondary minority language education through bilateral agreements and a Protocol for Agreements on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boye

Protocol for Agreements for Education

Update

January 14, 2026

Source

• Agreements – Official Languages - Canada.ca

Synopsis

On February 17, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the ratification of the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028. Under that collaborative agreement with the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada will be investing upwards of $1.4 billion.

Recommended response

• The modernized Official Languages Act includes the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing opportunities for members of official language minority communities, to receive quality learning in their own language from early childhood to postsecondary education.
• The Government of Canada has stepped up its efforts, providing the provinces and territories upwards of $1.4 billion over four years, beginning in 2024-2025, in support of minority-language education and second-language learning.
• By investing in minority language education and second language learning, we are diversifying our economy and increasing the employability and mobility of the Canadian workforce.

Background

• The Liberal Party of Canada’s platform for the election of April 28, 2025, included a commitment to promote French-language educational pursuits across Canada by collaborating with provinces and territories to invest in educational and community spaces, such as early learning and childcare that serve official language minority communities.
• On February 17, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the ratification of the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028. Under that collaborative agreement, the Government of Canada is investing upwards of $1.4 billion in support of minority-language education and second-language instruction, including $498.5 million in additional contributions resulting from an enhancement under Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. The Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028 also includes funding dedicated to teacher recruitment and retention, and to post-secondary education in the minority language. The breakdown of the investments is as follows:
  • Minority-language education: $707,204,968
  • Second-language instruction: $578,368,460
  • Post-secondary education in the minority language: $104,000,000
  • Teacher recruitment and retention in minority French-language schools and French immersion and French second-language programs: $50,970,000
• This multilateral framework establishes the parameters for cooperation between the two levels of government and provides a mechanism whereby the Government of Canada contributes to the costs incurred by the provinces and territories for minority-language education and second-official-language instruction. The framework includes requirements for provincial and territorial governments to consult with stakeholders, including those in education. It also includes a requirement for accountability by level of education and according to indicators and targets, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Education continuum support framework and each province or territory's multi-year action plan.
• Canadian Heritage has signed multi-year bilateral agreements with the provinces and territories for the delivery of the new funds for education under Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. These bilateral agreements include provincial and territorial action specifying the funding breakdown and investment priorities for each government. (The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has reached an agreement for 2024–2025 only and will continue discussions with Canadian Heritage to reach an agreement for the 2025–2026 to 2027–2028 period).
• While it shares the main objectives, the Government of Quebec does not subscribe to the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028 and intends to fully exercise its exclusive responsibility in this area on its territory. A comprehensive bilateral agreement on minority-language education, second-language instruction and minority-language services has been signed with the Government of Quebec. That agreement includes an investment of $327,515,256 to support minority-language education and second-language instruction in that province. It also earmarks $16 million for minority-language services.
• The Government of Canada supports provincial and territorial governments in delivering minority-language education across the education continuum, and in working with the community sector to support the implementation of key initiatives for official language minority communities.
• Education being the exclusive jurisdiction of the provincial and territorial governments, those governments are responsible for establishing plans, setting goals and priorities, and determining the content of their education programs.
• The modernized Official Languages Act strengthens the tools for advancing the equality of status and use of English and French through positive measures to be taken by federal institutions in support of essential sectors, such as education from early childhood to post-secondary.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy

Update

January 14, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

Announced on February 17, 2025, Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024–2025 to 2027–2028 earmarks over $50 million for teacher recruitment and retention in minority French-language schools and French immersion and French second-language programs.

Recommended response

• Recruiting and retaining teachers of French and French as a second language is essential to ensure access to French-language education across the country.
• The Protocol for Agreements for education earmarks $50 million over four years for teacher recruitment and retention in minority French-language schools and French immersion and French second-language programs.
• In 2024–2025, Canadian Heritage invested around $16 million in projects to recruit and retain these teachers. The projects were developed in collaboration with other governments and with community organizations working in education.

Background

• The Liberal Party’s platform for the election of April 28, 2025, included a commitment to promote French-language educational pursuits across Canada by collaborating with provinces and territories to invest in educational and community spaces, such as early learning and childcare that serve official language minority communities.
• Announced on February 17, 2025, Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction 2024-2025 to 2027-2028 earmarks over $50 million for teacher recruitment and retention in minority French-language schools and French immersion and French second-language programs.
• The Government of Canada is working with the provincial and territorial governments, with due regard to jurisdiction, and with professional associations to address the shortage of teachers across Canada.
• Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 features a dedicated initiative and additional funding to address this issue:
  • Enhancement of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategies for (1) minority French-language schools and (2) French second-language instruction ($15.2 million over 4 years) by Canadian Heritage. These strategies aim to increase the capacity of governments and organizations to overcome the challenges associated with the shortage. This funding is in addition to the ongoing support of $13.2 million per year from Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023.
  • Creation of a Corridor for the Selection and Retention of French Teachers in Canada ($16.3 million over 5 years) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The Corridor aims to increase the number of French-speaking primary and secondary school teachers immigrating to Canada and to encourage them to stay in Francophone and Acadian communities.
• In June 2023, Canadian Heritage organized a symposium on teacher recruitment and retention to identify courses of action and update its investment priorities. The 135 participants included representatives from the education community, provincial and territorial governments, post-secondary institutions, school boards, professional and community organizations, and researchers. The information shared at the event guided stakeholders’ efforts to develop and implement of more effective initiatives.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Creation and dissemination of scientific information in French

Update

January 14, 2026

Source

• Recherche en français : l’Acfas déplore le « manque de respect » de deux ministres (French only)

Synopsis

In Canada, as elsewhere in the world, English is the predominant language used in science. To address this issue, Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration includes new measures to support the creation and dissemination of information in French that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in any discipline.

Recommended response

• The presence of a strong and dynamic French-speaking scientific community in Canada is a strategic lever that is essential to innovation, economic development, and the promotion of French in Canada and abroad.
• Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 includes an investment of $8.5 million over 5 years to support new initiatives to improve the French-language research ecosystem in Canada.
• That investment has allowed for the establishment of a panel of experts that is seeking to identify the best strategies for creating and disseminating scientific knowledge in French.

Background

• The creation and dissemination of scientific information in French faces many challenges in Canada. French-speaking researchers, especially those outside Quebec, encounter major hurdles in producing and distributing their work in French, due to the fragility of the research infrastructure, the predominance of English in their research environments, and the appeal of English-language scholarly publications as a vehicle for increased visibility and career advancement.
• The pervasiveness of English in science could lead to reduced diversity in academic circles and lead to the neglect of research topics relevant to the vitality of Francophone communities.
• In a letter published in July 2025, the Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences (Acfas) denounced what it saw as a “system that too often overlooks” the reality of French-speaking researchers, pointing out that while French-speaking scientists make up 21% of the Canadian research community, only 5% to 12% of applications submitted to the three main granting councils are prepared in French.
• Providing Francophone audiences with access to scientific knowledge in their first official language can also help stimulate their creativity, combat disinformation and support a more democratic public environment.
• Part VII of the modernized Official Languages Act includes various Government of Canada commitments, including:
  • enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities, and advancing English and French;
  • protecting and promoting the French language; and
  • supporting learning in the minority language.
• These commitments must be implemented by federal institutions through positive measures. In this regard, paragraph 41(6)(c) of the Official Languages Act contains a non-exhaustive list of such measures, including any measure to “support the creation and dissemination of information in French that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in any discipline.”
• Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 features a brand-new initiative provides $8.5 million over five years for new measures to improve the French-language research ecosystem in Canada. That new funding:
  • Supported the establishment of the advisory panel announced on October 22, 2024, which is examining the dynamics of creating and disseminating scientific knowledge in French and which will report back by March 31, 2026, with advice and recommendations on securing the long-term viability of Canada’s French-language scientific research ecosystem;
  • From February 17 to August 1, 2025, the Advisory Panel held an online consultation on the theme of French-language research in Canada.
  • enabled the creation of a new Post-Secondary Sector and Scientific Knowledge in French Support Fund (launched September 12, 2024) which supports projects to mobilize scientific knowledge in French across Canada;
  • is supporting the Service d’aide à la recherche en français of the Association francophone pour le savoir; and
  • is providing direct support to French-speaking researchers and French-language research in the form of fellowships, research grants and supplements administered by the federal research granting councils.
• Budget 2024 earmarks $1.8 billion over five years, and $748.3 million per year thereafter, for the federal granting councils. In addition, that Budget calls for the creation of a capstone research funding organization to provide better coordination across the research ecosystem funded by the Government of Canada.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Strengthening the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages

Update

January 14, 2026

Source

N/A

Synopsis

The changes introduced by the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages (short title of Bill C-13), include strengthening the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages. One new power is the ability to impose administrative monetary penalties on a targeted category of privatized entities and Crown corporations that are currently subject to the Official Languages Act and provide services to the travelling public. On November 26, 2025, the implementing regulations for that regime were tabled in the House of Commons, in accordance with the regulatory process.

Recommended response

• The work to strengthen the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages continues with the tabling, in the House of Commons, of draft regulations on the new administrative monetary penalties regime.
• Only certain entities already subject to the Official Languages Act, that operate in the transportation sector and that communicate with and provide services to the travelling public, will be subject to this new regime, which is intended to promote compliance on the part of those entities.
• Canadians will have the opportunity to comment on the regulations when they are pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, triggering a mandatory official consultation period of 30 sitting days of both Houses.

Background

• On November 26, 2025, the draft regulations on administrative monetary penalties were tabled in the House of Commons. After a period of 30 sitting days of the House, they will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, triggering a mandatory official consultation period of 30 sitting days of both the House of Commons and the Senate.
• On June 20, 2023, Bill C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages - received royal assent and came into force. The Commissioner of Official Languages (the Commissioner) was given additional powers, including the power to impose administrative monetary penalties (AMPs). The new powers are as follows:
  • The power to employ a process of alternative dispute resolution (including facilitated resolution, a less formal investigation process in place at the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, excluding arbitration)
  • Greater discretion in refusing to investigate certain types of repetitive complaints
  • Discretion to publish the findings of investigations
  • The power to enter into compliance agreements with federal institutions and other entities subject to the Official Languages Act (the Act) concerning any part of the Act in order to guide the implementation of the changes to be made.
  • The power to issue enforceable orders (obligation to take certain remedial action) in respect of Part IV (Communications with and Services to the Public) or Part V (Language of Work) of the Act against all subject entities
  • The power to impose AMPs on a targeted category of privatized entities and Crown corporations already subject to the Act that communicate with and provide services to the travelling public under Part IV of the Act with such entities to be prescribed by regulation (e.g. Air Canada, VIA Rail, Marine Atlantic Inc. and certain airport authorities designated under the Airport Transfer (Miscellaneous Matters) Act).
• Some of the Commissioner’s new powers will come into force by orders-in-council, including: the power to issue of orders concerning the process leading up to positive measures; the power to impose administrative monetary penalties; and the entire component of the Commissioner’s mandate relating to federally regulated private businesses and the associated remedies. These aspects are closely related to the regulatory processes that began in the spring of 2024.
• Discussions with the Office of the Commissioner, the provinces and territories, groups representing Indigenous Peoples, official languages stakeholders and federal institutions took place in 2024-2025. The government continues to engage with these groups on an ongoing basis.
• Public consultation is also required under the Act and will be an integral part of the process. To this end, an online question was administered in 2024 with more than 1,300 Canadians responding. The results are informing the development of regulatory options.
• The enhanced powers introduced in Bill C-13 were in response to the following recommendations made by the Commissioner in his first submission on the modernization and in his 2018 parliamentary appearances:
  • that the Act give the Commissioner more flexibility in investigations;
  • that the Act clearly state that the Commissioner may make the recommendations, findings and summaries of investigations available to the public; and
  • that new mechanisms be added to the Act to improve compliance. Specifically, the document proposes adding the power to impose AMPs, along with the power to enter into enforceable agreements with federal institutions subject to the Act, and the establishment of a linguistic duality fund.
• The Commissioner is an agent of Parliament appointed by commission under the Great Seal, after approval by resolution of the House of Commons and the Senate, for a seven-year term. The Commissioner reports directly to Parliament and is supported by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Section 56 of the Act assigns the Commissioner the duty “to take all actions and measures within the authority of the Commissioner with a view to ensuring recognition of the status of each of the official languages and compliance with the spirit and intent of this Act in the administration of the affairs of federal institutions, including any of their activities relating to the advancement of English and French in Canadian society.”

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Deputy Director General, Communications: Pamela O’Leary (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)

Process for appointing the Commissioner of Official Languages

New

January 27, 2026

Source

• Kelly Burke est nommée commissaire aux langues officielles (French only)

Synopsis

On 26 January 2026, Franco-Ontarian lawyer Kelly Burke was appointed Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada.

Recommended response

• The Government of Canada is proud of the appointment of Kelly Burke as Commissioner of Official Languages.
• The process that led to this decision was open, transparent and merit-based. Ms. Burke distinguished herself as the most qualified candidate for the position.
• The Commissioner’s role is vital giving Canadians a way to hold the federal government accountable if they believe their language rights have not been respected.

Background

• On 26 January 2026, Franco-Ontarian lawyer Kelly Burke was presented as the nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada. Her certificate of nomination was tabled in the House of Commons after Question Period.
• Several Francophone organizations, including the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne, the Société nationale de l’Acadie and the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, welcomed this nomination.
• For its part, the Talking. Advocating. Living in Québec (TALQ) organization would have preferred the appointment of an English-speaking commissioner from Quebec and communicated their dissatisfaction.
• The extended term of Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge ends on January 28, 2026.
• Ms. Burke was Assistant Deputy Minister at Ontario's Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the province's French Language Services Commissioner.
• The process of appointing the Commissioner of Official Languages consists of the following steps:
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages is appointed by the Governor in Council, by commission under the Great Seal.
  • Before the appointment, the government consults with the leaders of the recognized parties in the House of Commons and the Senate.
  • The appointment must then be approved by a resolution passed by the House of Commons and the Senate.
  • In practice, the candidate may be subject to parliamentary review, particularly by a parliamentary committee.
• The Commissioner is an agent of Parliament appointed by commission under the Great Seal after approval by resolution of the House of Commons and the Senate. The Commissioner reports directly to Parliament and is supported by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Section 56 of the Official Languages Act assigns the Commissioner the duty “to take all actions and measures within the authority of the Commissioner with a view to ensuring recognition of the status of each of the official languages and compliance with the spirit and intent of this Act in the administration of the affairs of federal institutions, including any of their activities relating to the advancement of English and French in Canadian society.”
• According to section 49 of the Official Languages Act, the Commissioner is appointed, for a seven-year period, by the Governor in Council after approval by resolution of the Senate and the House of Commons.
• In addition to what is provided in the Official Languages Act, the appointment process for officers of Parliament (and other appointments by Order in Council) is at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Prepared by: Jean Marleau (613-266-3277)

Associate Director General – Communications: Pamela O'Leary, (343-576-3716)

Director General: Sarah Boily (819-635-7362)

Assistant Deputy Minister: Julie Boyer (613-852-4129)