On March 1, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced the long-awaited Bill C-13 to modernize the Official Languages Act. Since then, the House of Commons and the Senate have debated the bill on a regular basis, with no obvious progress.
Some opponents of Bill C-13 have actively participated in public debates. This opposition is distressing, given the extent of the protections for francophones in Canada offered by the bill. It goes without saying that Francophones in a minority context are unfortunately used to being confronted with this type of situation. What is more difficult to explain is the position taken by organizations representing the Francophonie, including the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities of Canada (FCFA), with regard to the proposed bill.
The FCFA has been doing remarkable work for many years and the hard work of the people involved in this organization should be highlighted. However, since March 1, 2022, the organization has been campaigning for changes to C-13 that are of concern both for the future of the bill and for the Canadian Francophonie as a whole.
In our opinion, if Parliament were to make the mistake of adopting the FCFA’s main demand, to designate the Treasury Board as solely responsible for the implementation of the Official Languages Act, the Canadian Francophonie would experience setbacks important. For example, the Treasury Board will not be able to approve, manage and evaluate the funding provided for future official languages action plans.
This type of consequence may not have been taken into account by the FCFA when formulating its proposal. However, the formalities necessary for the operation of the federal administrative apparatus mean that the request would cause a very significant setback in terms of funding for the actions of Francophones in Canada.
For the time being, the situation that persists is unbearable for Francophones who are impatiently awaiting the adoption of Bill C-13 by Parliament. Our common wish is that Francophones in Canada can face the future with confidence, rely on a modernized Official Languages Act adopted by Parliament as quickly as possible, and benefit from rigorous and effective implementation of this law within a reasonable time.
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Linda Cardinal, Professor, University of French Ontario
Ronald Caza, lawyer
Alexandre Cédric Doucet, President, SANB
Michel Doucet, Professor Emeritus, University of Moncton
Yvon Godin, President, AFMNB
Serge Rousselle, Constitutionalist, University of Moncton
Donald J. Savoie, Professor, University of Moncton
Aldéa Landry, lawyer
Florian Arseneault, Lawyer and President, AJEFNB
Alexandre Vienneau, lawyer and general manager, AFJENB