Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages 2017-2018 Annual Report
Click here to read the official 2017-2018 Annual Report from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
English-speaking Quebec and the Modernization of the Official Languages Act
Brief Submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
Study on Canadians’ Views about Modernizing the Official Languages Act
Founded in 1995, the QCGN is a not-for-profit organization linking more than 56 English- language community organizations across Quebec.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (“QCGN”) welcomes this opportunity to contribute to this Committee’s study on modernizing the Official Languages Act (“the Act”). In the spirit of modernization, the QCGN takes this opportunity to present a picture of the contemporary English-speaking community of Quebec. As this Committee noted in 2011, there are certain widely-held myths regarding this community. The QCGN hopes to contribute to a modernized understanding of this community and its role as a unique and important official language minority community in Canada. In this regard, the QCGN puts forward three propositions:
- 1) The English-speaking community of Quebec is a unique official language minority community;
- 2) The English-speaking community of Quebec has transformed into a diverse, bilingual and resilient community, but public perception has not kept pace;
- 3) The vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec does not threaten French in Quebec.
The Official Languages Act is a lifeline for English-speaking Quebec. The Act is the only language rights legislation that protects the interests of English-speaking Quebecers as a community. The Act sets out quasi-constitutional rights for English-speaking Quebecers, including the right to access federal services in English, the representation of English-speakers in the federal public service, and the right to work in English in the federal public service. Further, the Act provides the framework for much-needed financial support for the community’s institutions and networks.
In this brief, the QCGN presents proposals for a modernized Act.
Download Executive Summary (PDF)
Download Complete Brief (PDF)
Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future
The Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future is the Government of Canada’s official languages strategy for the period from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2023. It outlines the Government of Canada’s vision for supporting official-language minority communities and promoting our two official languages. The Action Plan for Official Languages delivers an investment of $499.2 million over the next five years and outlines new initiatives to support the two official languages. It is based on three pillars: Strengthening Our Communities; Strengthening Access to Services; and Promoting a Bilingual Canada.
Plan d’action pour les langues officielles 2018-2023 : Investir dans notre avenir
Le Plan d’action pour les langues officielles 2018-2023 : Investir dans notre avenir est la stratégie que s’est donnée le Gouvernement du Canada en matière de langues officielles pour la période du 1er avril 2018 au 31 mars 2023. Il présente la vision du gouvernement du Canada pour appuyer les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire et promouvoir nos deux langues officielles. La Plan d’action présente l’investissement supplémentaire de 499.2 millions de dollars sur cinq ans et présente des initiatives nouvelles en appui à nos langues officielles. Il est composé de trois piliers: Renforcer nos communautés; Renforcer l’accès aux services; Promouvoir un Canada bilingue.
2017 Priorities Seeting Steering Committee Survey Report
The purpose of this report is to present the results of the PSSC’s efforts monitoring the six evolving community priorities through an online survey and strategic consultations in 2017. The survey results provide a portrait of the activities undertaken in the current fiscal year, identify needs that are underserved and sectors of service that are under-developed, and, identify the plans developed by the various groups and organizations for addressing these needs.
Read the Executive Summary
Read the PSSC Survey Report
Read the PSSC Chair’s Verbal Report made during the 2017 AGM
Rapport des consultations pancanadiennes sur les langues officielles 2016
En 2016, la Ministre du Patrimoine Canadien, Mélanie Joly, s’engagea dans une consultation pancanadienne sur les langues officielles afin de d’aboutir au plan d’action pluriannuel du gouvernement du Canada sur les langues officielles. Ce rapport final présent les éléments clés des tables rondes, d’un questionnaire en ligne et des multiples rapports et soumissions qui ont été reçu par Patrimoine Canada.
Progressing Strategically, Annual Report 2016-17
Le rapport annuel 2016-17 du Quebec Community Groups Network présente comment les gouvernements reconnaissent maintenant le QCGN comme étant la voix stratégique pour la communauté d’expression anglaise.
For a study on the Full Implementation of the Official Languages Act in the Canadian Justice System
In this brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages for a study on the Full Implementation of the Official Languages Act in the Canadian Justice System, QCGN expressed support for a Supreme Court of Canada appointment process that is transparent, inclusive, and accountable to Canadians. The brief also states there must be a systemic capacity for justices to hear cases and render decisions in both official languages and that the language skills of judges must be sufficient to ensure the evolution of Canadian law.
Le QCGN est financé par le gouvernement du Canada par le biais du ministère du Patrimoine canadien
