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Part VII
Advancement of English and French
Government policy
41. (1) The Government of Canada is committed to
(a) enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and
(b) fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.
Duty of federal institutions
(2) Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that positive measures are taken for the implementation of the commitments under subsection (1). For greater certainty, this implementation shall be carried out while respecting the jurisdiction and powers of the provinces.
Regulations
(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations in respect of federal institutions, other than the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, office of the Senate Ethics Officer or office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, prescribing the manner in which any duties of those institutions under this Part are to be carried out.
1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 41; 2005, c. 41, s. 1; 2006, c. 9, s. 23.Coordination
42. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, in consultation with other ministers of the Crown, shall encourage and promote a coordinated approach to the implementation by federal institutions of the commitments set out in section 41.
R.S., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 42; 1995, c. 11, s. 27.Specific mandate of Minister of Canadian Heritage
43. (1) The Minister of Canadian Heritage shall take such measures as that Minister considers appropriate to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, may take measures to
(a) enhance the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and support and assist their development;
(b) encourage and support the learning of English and French in Canada;
(c) foster an acceptance and appreciation of both English and French by members of the public;
(d) encourage and assist provincial governments to support the development of English and French linguistic minority communities generally and, in particular, to offer provincial and municipal services in both English and French and to provide opportunities for members of English or French linguistic minority communities to be educated in their own language;
(e) encourage and assist provincial governments to provide opportunities for everyone in Canada to learn both English and French;
(f) encourage and cooperate with the business community, labour organizations, voluntary organizations and other organizations or institutions to provide services in both English and French and to foster the recognition and use of those languages;
(g) encourage and assist organizations and institutions to project the bilingual character of Canada in their activities in Canada or elsewhere; and
(h) with the approval of the Governor in Council, enter into agreements or arrangements that recognize and advance the bilingual character of Canada with the governments of foreign states.
Public consultation
(2) The Minister of Canadian Heritage shall take such measures as that Minister considers appropriate to ensure public consultation in the development of policies and review of programs relating to the advancement and the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society.
R.S., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 43; 1995, c. 11, s. 28.
Annual report to Parliament
44. The Minister of Canadian Heritage shall, within such time as is reasonably practicable after the termination of each financial year, submit an annual report to Parliament on the matters relating to official languages for which that Minister is responsible.
R.S., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 44; 1995, c. 11, s. 29.
Consultation and negotiation with the provinces
45. Any minister of the Crown designated by the Governor in Council may consult and may negotiate agreements with the provincial governments to ensure, to the greatest practical extent but subject to Part IV, that the provision of federal, provincial, municipal and education services in both official languages is coordinated and that regard is had to the needs of the recipients of those services.
Official Languages Act
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/ShowFullDoc/cs/O-3.01///en
Date Modified: 2008-07-23
