Our role in supporting official language minority communities (OLMCs)
Through its work, the CRTC supports the development of official language minority communities (OLMCs) and promotes Canada’s official languages. Learn how the CRTC works with OLMCs to ensure their needs and voices are considered in broadcasting and telecommunications.
On this page
- A strengthened commitment in the Official Languages Act
- Policy objectives and consultation obligations under the Broadcasting Act
- Official Languages Champion
- Related information
- Contact us
A strengthened commitment in the Official Languages Act
In 2023, section 41 of the Official Languages Act (external link) was amended to strengthen the government’s commitment to:
- enhance the vitality of OLMCs and support their development, while taking into account their uniqueness, diversity and historical and cultural contributions
- foster the full recognition and use of English and French across Canada
- protect and promote the French language, recognizing that French is in a minority situation in Canada and North America
Under section 41 of the Official Languages Act,the CRTC is responsible for taking positive measures to further these commitments.
Policy objectives and consultation obligations under the Broadcasting Act
In 2023, the Broadcasting Act (external link) was also amended, including provisions affecting OLMCs. As of 2023, the CRTC’s role includes considering additional policy objectives when regulating and supervising the Canadian broadcasting system. Some of these objectives relate to OLMCs and official languages:
- enhance the vitality of OLMCs and support their development by considering their specific needs and interests, including through supporting the production and broadcasting of original content by and for those communities
- ensure programming and employment opportunities in the broadcasting system serve all Canadians and reflect society’s linguistic diversity
- reflect and support linguistic duality in programming by placing significant importance on the creation, production and broadcasting of original French-language programs, including those from French OLMCs
- recognise that English and French-language broadcasting operate under different conditions, especially the minority context of French in North America, and may have different requirements
- ensure CBC programming reflects the needs and circumstances of English and French communities, including OLMCs and supports the production and broadcasting of original French language programs
- ensure that online undertakings promote and recommend Canadian programming in both official languages
Under Section 5.1 of the Broadcasting Act (external link), the CRTC’s role is to, enhance the vitality of OLMCs in Canada and support and assist their development as part of regulating and supervising the Canadian broadcasting system. In addition, under section 5.2 of the Broadcasting Act (external link), the CRTC consults OLMCs, as part of its responsibility, when making decisions that could adversely affect them. The CRTC has published guidelines on how consultations with OLMCs will be carried out in broadcasting proceedings.
Official Languages Champion
Each year, the CRTC names a member of its executive leadership team as Champion for Official Languages. This person promotes a workplace that supports both official languages and develops strategies, guiding principles and best practices.
The Champion for Official Languages is supported in their role by CRTC staff, including the OLMC Engagement Team.
Related information
- Guidelines for broadcasting proceedings affecting official language minority communities and the French-speaking majority in Quebec
- Public proceedings
Contact us
Contact the OLMC engagement team directly by using our form.
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