Modernization of the Official Languages Act
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The Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act (OLA) ensures that Canada’s 2 official languages, English and French, are promoted and protected for the benefit of all Canadians.
In 2021, the government proposed the modernization of the federal language regime in English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada. This modernization includes amendments to the OLA, but also the development of new regulations and administrative reforms to better reflect a changing society.
Roles and responsibilities
The OLA was amended and received royal assent on June 20, 2023.
These amendments strengthen the roles and responsibilities of the Treasury Board (TB) and its president:
- The President of the Treasury Board is now the Minister responsible for providing leadership within the Government of Canada in regard to the implementation, coordination and good governance of the OLA
- TB is now required to monitor and verify compliance with official languages policies, directives and regulations
- TB is required to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of federal policies and programs relating to official languages
TB’s functions have also been expanded to include monitoring the compliance of measures taken by federal institutions to implement commitments made under Part VII of the act.
Accountability and Reporting Framework
An Accountability and Reporting Framework has been created to support the implementation of the modernized OLA by federal institutions. The framework aims to ensure good governance of official languages obligations.
Regulatory power
TB has the authority to develop regulations for the application of Part VII of the act (advancement toward equality of status and use of English and French) in consultation with the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Administrative reforms
Language training framework
A more bilingual public service is one that can best meet the needs of Canadians. Language training is a key factor to increase the bilingual capacity of the public service. For this reason, a framework was developed to support second language training for all federal public servants.
The framework includes:
- guidelines on second official language training that support federal institutions in providing equitable access to inclusive and standardized language training approaches
- a handbook on second official language training that includes best practices to support institutions and managers in fostering a workplace conducive to the use and learning of both official languages
- a playbook that includes various learning paths, tools, and resources according to employees’ needs in a variety of organizational contexts, to help them acquire and maintain second official language proficiency
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