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Official Languages: The Canadian Reality

By Jacynthe de Saint-Hilaire

Jacynthe de Saint-Hilaire, Training and Development Manager and Official Languages Advisor

History shows that the Official Languages Program is the end result of a long evolution. The right to use the official language of one's choice has been progressively strengthened, and a program that enshrined these rights was established. This process is still ongoing.



These are but some of the milestones along the way:

  1. Quebec Act
    Concessions in the area of religion and law.

  2. British North America Act
    Unification of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

    Section 133:

    • Use of French and English in the Parliaments of Canada and Quebec
    • Official languages compulsory in the Hansard, acts and the archives.

  3. The Civil Service Act
    called for exams to be given in French, English or both languages, as per the candidate’s preference.

  4. The Civil Service Act
    stipulated that an annual bonus of $50 would be paid to candidates able to write in the other official language.

  5. Stamps are issued in both languages.

  6. Creation of the Translation Bureau.

  7. Bank notes in both languages.

  8. In Quebec, family allowance cheques are issued in both languages.

  9. Simultaneous interpretation in the House of Commons.

  10. The Civil Service Act
    stipulates that the number of employees competent in English, French or both languages must be sufficient to provide effective service to the public.

  11. Allowance cheques are issued in both languages across the country.

  12. Creation of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. (The Laurendeau-Dunton Commission)

  13. Language Training Office

Other important dates will be published in the next issue of Apropos.

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