FCFA Warns New Official Languages Act Regulations Could Undo Progress

Concerns are mounting over a proposed regulation intended to implement key aspects of Canada’s Official Languages Act. Liane Roy, President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada, stated today that if the document is adopted, “10 years of work to modernize the Official Languages Act risk having been in vain.”

Implementation Concerns Raised

The FCFA presented its concerns to a parliamentary committee this afternoon regarding the draft regulation proposed by the Treasury Board Secretariat. The regulation specifically addresses the portion of the Act concerning the government’s commitment to promote and protect the French language, and to support the development of official language minorities.

A Departure from Parliamentary Intent

Roy expressed disappointment, stating that the proposed rules “are years away from what this intention of parliamentarians” was when they voted to modernize the Official Languages Act two years ago. She noted a clear sense of urgency regarding the decline of French at that time.

Did You Know? The FCFA has been advocating for improvements to the Official Languages Act for 50 years, based on the experiences of francophones in minority settings.

The FCFA argues that the new Act clearly recognized the vulnerability of the French language and the need for specific protective measures. However, the draft regulation remains silent on this differentiated approach. It lacks concrete guidance for federal institutions on how to support the development of francophone and Acadian communities.

Recommendations for Improvement

The FCFA has put forward tangible recommendations to improve the draft regulation. These include requiring federal institutions to develop methods for measuring gaps in equality between French and English, and encouraging the inclusion of linguistic clauses in federal-provincial/territorial transfer agreements.

Expert Insight: The FCFA’s concerns highlight the critical juncture in translating legislative intent into practical action. A vague regulatory framework risks undermining years of effort to address linguistic duality and the protection of French language rights.

Roy emphasized the need for the Treasury Board Secretariat to revisit the draft regulation, and to better consider the input from these communities.

The FCFA has submitted a detailed brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages, outlining its proposed modifications to the draft regulation. The brief is available here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core concern regarding the proposed regulation?

The FCFA believes the proposed regulation does not adequately address the vulnerability of the French language and lacks specific measures for its protection and promotion, potentially negating the progress made in modernizing the Official Languages Act.

What specific actions is the FCFA recommending?

The FCFA recommends that federal institutions develop ways to measure inequalities between French and English and include linguistic clauses in federal-provincial/territorial agreements.

Who is responsible for the current draft regulation?

The draft regulation was proposed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

How might the outcome of this debate shape the future of linguistic policy in Canada?