Who handles official languages?
Official Languages
Official languages are primarily federal under the Official Languages Act. New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province under the Constitution. Other provinces have varying levels of French/English services.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● The Official Languages Act (1969) guarantees English and French as the official languages of Canada in all federal institutions.
- ● Approximately 9.9 million Canadians (27.3%) report being able to conduct a conversation in both English and French.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Official Languages Act
- ● Commissioner of Official Languages
- ● Federal bilingual service obligations
- ● Minority language education rights (Section 23, Charter)
💡 Example: File a complaint with the Commissioner of Official Languages about federal language services.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial language policies (vary significantly by province)
- ● New Brunswick: constitutionally bilingual province
- ● Quebec: Charter of the French Language (Bill 101)
- ● Ontario: French Language Services Act
- ● French-language school boards (provincial statute)
💡 Example: Contact your provincial language services office, or your MPP/MLA about minority language services.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Municipal bilingual services (where offered)
- ● Local French or English language programs
- ● Community language services
- ● Bilingual municipal signage
💡 Example: Contact your city clerk about bilingual municipal services.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Contact your MP about official language rights and bilingual service access in your community.
- ● Participate in local language minority community organizations and events to support linguistic diversity.
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Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
English and French are Canada's two official languages, established by the Official Languages Act (1969). All federal services must be available in both languages.
Canada is officially bilingual at the federal level. However, only New Brunswick is officially bilingual at the provincial level. Most other provinces are predominantly English or French.
The Commissioner is an officer of Parliament who ensures the federal government complies with the Official Languages Act. The Commissioner investigates complaints and reports on the state of official languages.
Yes. All federal services must be available in both official languages. You have the right to communicate with and receive services from federal institutions in the language of your choice.
Francophone communities outside Quebec (Acadians in Atlantic Canada, Franco-Ontarians, Franco-Manitobans, etc.) have distinct cultures and face unique challenges in maintaining their language and identity.