Question Period Note: C-13 and its benefits for French-speaking Canadians

Bill C-13 (C-13) contains a series of legislative proposals that will, among other things, benefit French-speaking Canadians. First and foremost, C-13 provides for the recognition, in the Official Languages Act (the Act), of the predominant use of the English language in Canada and North America, and the attendant need to protect and promote the French language.

• Bill C-13 contains a series of promising legislative measures for the benefit of French-speaking Canadians.

• C-13 recognizes the predominant use of the English language in Canada and North America, and the attendant need to protect and promote the French language throughout Canada, including in Quebec.

• C-13 contains legislative proposals to protect and promote French in Canada in various fields, such as the judiciary, science, broadcasting, culture, and Canadian diplomacy.

• On March 1, 2022, the Minister of Official Languages introduced Bill C-13—An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts (C-13)—in the House of Commons.
• C-13 contains a series of legislative proposals that will, among other things, benefit French-speaking Canadians. First and foremost, C-13 provides for the recognition, in the Official Languages Act (the Act), of the predominant use of the English language in Canada and North America, and the attendant need to protect and promote the French language.
• In order to better protect and promote French throughout Canada, the Government is advancing the following key legislative proposals: establishing that the Act’s purpose is to promote the advancement of the substantive equality of status and use of English and French and to protect official language minority communities.
• C-13 contains a number of other legislative proposals, in several areas, to protect and promote French in Canada. These areas include:
o broadcasting, where CBC/Radio-Canada contributes to the protection and promotion of the two official languages in Canada;
o culture, by supporting the development and promotion of francophone culture through Canadian Heritage organizations involved in supporting culture and media in Canada, such as Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and national museums, among others;
o diplomacy, by committing to advance the use of English and French in the conduct of Canada’s external affairs and to promote French as part of Canada’s diplomatic relations;
o justice, by providing that final decisions, orders and judgments issued by federal courts that have precedential value are to be made available simultaneously in both official languages;
o science, by specifying that one example of a positive measure that can be taken by federal institutions is supporting the creation and dissemination of information in French that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in any discipline.
• Other important measures that will benefit French-speaking Canadians include:
o enacting a new statute setting out new duties for federally regulated private businesses in Quebec and in regions with a strong francophone presence, as well as new rights for their employees and customers (the latter will now have the right to work in French within, and to be served in French by, these businesses);
o strengthening the Treasury Board’s powers and assigning the Board new duties that will lead to improved compliance with respect to the Government of Canada’s use of French as a language of communication and service, and as a language of work for its employees;
o creating a range of new and enhanced powers for the Commissioner of Official Languages powers that include issuing orders or taking other measures that the Commissioner considers appropriate to remedy identified violations of Parts IV or V of the Act;
o including a reminder in the Act that all legal obligations related to the official languages apply at all times, including during emergencies;
o affirming the important role of the CRTC and the Broadcasting Act in supporting the production, broadcasting and discoverability of francophone content on air and in the digital space;
o recognizing the mandate, collaboration and action of the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie;
o recognizing the importance of providing opportunities for everyone to learn a second official language and making it clear that federal institutions’ positive measures may include measures to promote and support the learning of English and French in Canada;
o recognizing the importance of measures and strategies aimed at youth (including linguistic security, and linguistic and cultural exchanges).

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