By Canadian Press

Liberals table bill to protect French in sweeping update to Official Languages Act

Jun 15, 2021 | 9:26 AM

OTTAWA — The Liberals are tabling legislation to beef up protection of French in Canada as part of the biggest overhaul to the Official Languages Act in more than three decades.

Official Languages Minister Mélanie Joly introduced the bill in the House of Commons this morning, proposing reforms in areas that range from federal workplaces to immigration to the selection of Supreme Court judges.

The legislation, known as Bill C-32, would also grant the official languages commissioner more teeth, with the power to compel companies to abide by tighter French-speaking requirements in most large, federally regulated workplaces.

Joly says the bill comes as a response to developments that had yet to unfold when it first passed under then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau in 1969.

She cites globalization and the internet, where a “hegemony of English” prevails in North America, but also says the government stands by its obligations to protect English-speaking minorities within Quebec.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

21h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

Marlene Jennings, a former Liberal MP and head of the Quebec Community Groups Network, which serves as an umbrella organization for English-language groups across the province, said in February she was cautiously optimistic about the upcoming bill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2021.

The Canadian Press