Question Period Note: The importance of official languages in Canada

Our official languages are a priority for the Government of Canada. They are central to Canadian identity and support the diversification of the Canadian economy.

• Our official languages are central to Canadian identity and continue to be a priority for our government.
• Our two official languages bring communities and Canadians together and project the image of a diversified, open and united country.
• The countries of the international Francophonie generate a significant portion of the global economy. Having two official languages is an asset that promotes the diversification of our economy.

• English and French derive their status as the official languages of Canada from subsection 16(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 23 of the Charter affords all Canadians who meet the applicable criteria the right to have their children educated in the minority language.
• The official languages are more than an administrative tool: they are a reflection of Canada's history, the foundation of its diversity and a pillar of its national identity. They embody a vision of society based on coexistence, mutual recognition and equality among cultures.
• Official bilingualism signals openness, tolerance and respect for differences, values that are central to modern Canadian identity.
• With multicultural identities on the rise, Canadians as a whole share few points of commonality. One of those is the official languages, with over 98% of the population speaking one, or both official languages, those languages are a vehicle for national unity and help curb polarization.
• Canada’s two official languages are a distinctive feature of the country and a strategic asset for diversifying international trade relationships and expanding market access. For example, French is a gateway to Francophone markets around the world, with Canada already counting France, Switzerland and Côte d'Ivoire among its major trading partners.
• Official bilingualism gives workers a strong edge in the labour market, boosting their employability and mobility across Canada and abroad.
• In 2023, the Government of Canada modernized and strengthened the Official Languages Act and unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, a five-year, government-wide strategy representing an unprecedented investment of $4.1 billion. This includes $1.4 billion in new funding compared with the previous five-year strategy, with 33 new or enhanced initiatives and 49 renewed initiatives in various sectors essential to enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities. These initiatives include Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs, which play a key role in such areas as working with the provinces and territories to implement the investments in education.
• Canadian Francophone organizations say they are very pleased to have a minister with “Official Languages” in his title. According to the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the reinstatement of this reference demonstrates that the Prime Minister understands the importance of Canada’s linguistic duality as a key vehicle for Canada’s national identity and sovereignty.

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