Ministers have wrapped up a meeting in Vancouver with the hope of increasing francophone immigration and addressing the decline of French across Canada. The Ministers‘ Council on the Canadian Francophonie representing francophone and Acadian communities had been meeting for the past two days, involving representatives of all three levels of government. Federal Official Languages Minister…

Legislation mandating the use of both French and English in the federally regulated private sector is now law, as Bill C-13 amending Canada’s Official Languages Act received royal assent. Also known as “An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages,” the legislation mandates the use of French by private airlines, banks, railways, and other…

The official languages commissioner says Canadian travellers—particularly francophones—are struggling to get service in their official language of choice from Air Canada. Raymond Théberge says his assessment also applies to the CanadaBorder Services Agency and major airport authorities. His new report highlights the way federal institutions are failingmeeting the requirement to provide services in English or…

A bill that aims to enshrine a francophone immigration program into law is heading to the Senate after clearing the House of Commons. Bill C-13 would modernize the Official Languages Act and recognize that French is the only official language in Canada that is under threat and therefore must be protected within federal workplaces. The…

French outside Quebec “remains fragile” despite billions in grants invested to promote the language since 2003, according to a report by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Published last November, the report says the feasibility of establishing thriving Francophone communities outside of Quebec—defined as Francophone official language minority communities (OLMCs)—remains challenging even though funding to launch…

French outside Quebec “remains fragile” despite billions in grants invested to promote the language since 2003, according to a report by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Published last November and updated on March 27, the report says the feasibility of establishing thriving Francophone communities outside of Quebec—defined as Francophone official language minority communities (OLMCs)—remains challenging…

Parliament has begun a lengthy winter break, but more than a hundred bills are still on the table and ready to be picked up when lawmakers return to Ottawa in late January. Some are major Liberal priorities. Others are government promises left languishing on the table. And dozens were proposed by individual senators or members…

The federal government has underestimated by a huge margin the costs needed to extend French-language rights to federally regulated businesses in its proposed changes to the Official Languages Act, according to a report by the parliamentary budget officer (PBO). Bill C-13 seeks to strengthen the state of French in federal public institutions and expand the…

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…