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.
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
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