7.3.2 Language Legislation in Canada

What happens to language and culture in our globalizing world?


©getty images

Languages in Canada: Although Canada is officially a bilingual country, Canadian provinces — except New Brunswick — are not officially bilingual. French is the official language of Quebec, and English is the official language of all other provinces. Inuktitut, English, and French are the official languages of Nunavut. The Yukon is officially bilingual, and the Northwest Territories has eleven official languages: Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich'in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tłįch or Dogrib.

What is an official language? In Canada, the public has the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive federal government services in either English or French. In provinces with more than one official language, government services are offered in each official language.
Stop Sign in Nunavut courtesy Wikicommons


Watch


Watch this short video featuring political cartoons about the Official Languages Act.



According the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982, . . .

  • French and English are equal to each other.
  • Debate in Parliament may occur in either official language.
  • Federal laws are printed in both official languages.
  • Anyone may deal in either official language with any court established by Parliament.
  • Everyone has the right to receive services from the federal government in his or her choice of official language.
  • If a person has learned and still understands or has received primary school education in one language, that person has the right to have his or her children receive their public education in their language, where numbers warrant.

Language laws in Quebec: Most people in Quebec speak French as their first language. However, because Canada is mostly English-speaking, many fear that they will lose their unique culture if English dominates. Several laws have been passed in Quebec to preserve the French language and culture.

(You are not expected to memorize these laws, but you should understand why they were put into effect. )

  • Lavergne Law required that tickets for buses, trains, and trams be printed in both French and English.

  • Bill 63 guarantees Quebecers the right to choose the language of education.

  • Bill 22 made French the official language of Quebec. Corporations were forced to use French names and to advertise primarily in French in Quebec. Bill 22 also limited enrolment in English schools. 

  • Bill 101 made French the only language allowed on commercial signs in the province. English language education was restricted.

  • Bill 178 stated that only French could be used on exterior signs although English is allowed inside commercial establishments.

  • Bill 86 allowed English on outdoor commercial signs only if the French lettering was at least twice as large as the English writing.

French in Alberta: The first Europeans to settle in Alberta were French explorers and trappers. Many married Aboriginal women, often founding Mètis communities. Religious orders also moved to Alberta, founding missions across the province. Although most no longer speak French, nearly 10% of Albertans today are descendants of these early French settlers.

Today, about 70 000 Albertans or almost 3% of the population of Alberta are
Francophone
a person who speaks French as his or her first language
Francophones. As Alberta's economy prospers, more French-speaking people are moving to Alberta. About 7% of all Albertans speak some French. Most Franco-Albertans live in Edmonton or smaller communities including Bonnyville, Beaumont, Plamondon, Legal, St. Paul, Falher, Donnelly, McLennan, and Girouxville. Some of these towns have declared themselves officially bilingual.

The struggle to maintain language and culture continues. With their small population spread over a large area, Franco-Albertans have struggled to maintain their language and culture. Before Alberta became a province, both French and English were recognized as official languages. When Alberta became a province, English was the only official language. By the 1920s, teachers were forbidden to teach French in Alberta's schools for more than one hour per day. Because language is essential to maintaining culture, the French-speaking people of Alberta established their own organizations to preserve their language and traditions. Today, Francophone families have the right to instruction in French where numbers warrant, and Francophones have the right to manage their own schools.

Aboriginal languages: More than 60 Aboriginal languages are spoken in Canada by more than 150 000 people. Cree is the most widely spoken native language in Alberta. Ojibwe and Inuktitut also have large numbers of speakers in other parts of Canada. Aboriginal languages are official languages only in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The use of Aboriginal languages around the world is declining as Aboriginal people become more assimilated into the dominant cultures.

Task Force on Language and Culture: In 2003, the Canadian government recognized the importance of maintaining Aboriginal languages and established a Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, which was to come up with ideas to help preserve, promote, and revitalize Aboriginal languages.

. . .a first step in a long journey to revive and restore the richness and the diversity of our First Nation, Inuit, and Mètis languages given to us by the Creator. All our languages are sacred-each one deserving of honour and respect. We have heard the wisdom of our Elders, of our Leaders, and the many hopeful voices in our communities. We look to you, to our youth, to everyone to join the next leg of the journey towards a new beginning and the re-birth of our languages.

The report found that Aboriginal language use is in rapid decline. Aboriginal language use is stronger in smaller communities where the language is shared from one generation to the next. These same languages are rarely used by Aboriginal people who live in urban centres. Michif, the language of the Mètis, is rarely spoken.

The report made several recommendations:

  • Language, culture, spiritual values, and the Aboriginal sense of identity are inseparable.

  • First Nation, Inuit, and Mètis languages contain much traditional knowledge of benefit to Canada and the world.

  • Native people must keep their own languages alive by using them daily.

  • There must be a focus on the young and the use of Aboriginal languages in the homes.

  • Language teaching cannot be left to institutions, but it must be used in social settings in the community.

  • Government funding is required to promote Aboriginal languages in the same way French and English are promoted.

  • Federal legislation is needed to promote and protect First Nation, Inuit, and Mètis languages.

Watch

Watch this short video of the Aboriginal singing group Asani singing Oh Canada in English, French, and Cree.