Your Official Languages update – Winter 2026

January 12, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 1:30

The Director Official Languages (DOL) is pleased to share the Winter 2026 Newsletter (accessible only on the National Defence network).

The newsletter is among the various initiatives by DOL to foster a lasting culture of linguistic respect and uphold individual official languages (OL) rights within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, in line with Canada’s Official Languages Act (OLA) and Policy on Official Languages.

In this issue, Capt(N) Vincent Pellerin, Director of Official Languages, highlights a milestone for the Defence Team: the release of the Joint CDS/DM Directive on the Modernization of Official Languages (accessible only on the National Defence network).

The Joint Directive is a central document that outlines how the DND and the CAF must implement the linguistic obligations set out in the OLA. This directive charts the path forward to ensure a truly bilingual work environment—one that respects linguistic rights and aligns with operational realities.

The directive also establishes a ten-year phased implementation strategy, supported by a five-year Official Languages Action Plan to be published by April 2026. The goal is to support language training, adapt supervisory practices, and strengthen an institutional culture that values bilingualism as an asset

The newsletter also provides information on the qualification standards in relation to Official Languages and explains the meaning of the CBC/CBC linguistic profile designation used in the Federal Public Service to assess language skills for a bilingual position.

Another important topic covered in this newsletter is bilingual signage in our organizations. LCol Luc Martin, Operations Manager at DOL, explains what to do to comply with the OLA and avoid complaints.

DOL hopes that this information will help raise the level of understanding of OL rights and responsibilities among the entire Defence Team and motivate our collective commitment to respect the OLA, particularly through the sharing of best practices within our organization.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.