An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages
| An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Canada | |
| |
| Legislative history | |
| First reading | 2022-03-01 |
| Second reading | 2022-05-30 |
| Third reading | 2023-05-15 |
| First reading | 2023-05-16 |
| Second reading | 2023-06-01 |
| Third reading | 2023-06-15 |
| Status: In force | |
An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages is an act of the Canadian Parliament which requires the federal Government of Canada to promote the French language, in order to provide for susbtantive equality, rather than formal equality.[1]
Background
[edit]In March 2021, the Canadian federal government unveiled a plan to "modernize" the Official Languages Act.[1] The plan focused on achieving "substantive equality" rather than "formal equality", which required a focus on different treatment for different realities.[1] A bill with the title "An Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English and the Strengthening of the Official Languages Act" was introduced to Parliament in June 2021, but this occurred just after the 2021 federal election was called.[2]
During the federal election, the Liberal Party of Canada pledged to introduce legislation to implement the plan within 100 days.[3]
Provisions
[edit]The Act requires increasing francophone migration to Canada, outside of Quebec.[4]
The Act also enacts the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act as a secondary act, which requires that federally regulated businesses provide services in the French language in Quebec.[5]
Cost
[edit]The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated that compliance could cost CA$240,000,000 initially and CA$20,000,000 annually in ongoing costs.[6]
Reception
[edit]The shift from formal equality to substantive equality was described as "remarkable" by François Larocque, Professor and Research Chair in Language Rights at the University of Ottawa.[1]
The Act has been heavily criticized by organisations representing the Anglophone community in Quebec for not safeguarding their rights symmetrically.[7] Liberal MP Anthony Housefather was the sole vote against the bill at third reading.[8]
Further developments
[edit]The decision of the Supreme Court to only translate certain pre-1970 judgements rather than all pre-1970 judgements was criticised by three professors at the University of Ottawa as being against the principle of "substantive equality".[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Larocque, François (2021-03-14). "New official languages plan aims to end the decline of French in Canada". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Connolly, Amanda (2022-01-30). "As Trudeau nears end of first 100 days, here's what's left on key to-do list". Archived from the original on 2025-04-16. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Clock already ticking on Liberal promise to introduce host of bills in first 100 days". CBC News. 2021-11-15. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18.
- ^ Eñano, Katrina (2022-03-08). "Canada introduces legislation to modernize Official Languages Act". Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Law to protect French in Canada aims for more francophone immigrants". Montreal Gazette. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Lévesque, Catherine (2022-06-03). "New federal language laws could cost $240M in compliance costs: PBO report". National Post. Archived from the original on 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Jennings, Marlene (2021-04-01). "Opinion: Canada's official language minorities should have same rights". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Riga, Andy (2023-05-19). "Liberal MP Housefather defies party, votes against federal language bill". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Campagnolo, Yan; Larocque, François; David, Lawrence. "The Supreme Court of Canada is wrong to refuse to translate its pre-1970 decisions". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2025-04-16.