The Official Language Act

BY: ANEESA CHOHAN

The 5W Analysis Overview

What?

Who?

Canada, by the government of Pierre E. Trudeau

When?

gives English and French equal status in the government of Canada.

Where?

a Canadian law that came into force on September 9, 1969.

1969

Why?

in response to the work of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Bilingualism and

Biculturalism.

History of the Incident

The French wanted independence.

Quiet Revolution

Believed they could control their own destiny if they had their own country to govern.

A rising sense of nationalism in Quebec encouraged the Federal government to take action.

Prime Minister Lester Pearson established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.

Purpose of B&B Commission: to examine the state of the French and English languages in Canada and to
recommend actions to ensure they both remain vital.

Commissioners found that economic opportunities for Francophones were limited, especially if they
spoke only French.

Education in French was inadequate and didn't meet the students' needs.

Francophones had trouble getting access to government services because Federal civil servants knew
little or no French.

Many private businesses offered no service in French.

History continued...

Commission made many recommendations such as:

Both English and French should be declared official languages.

Provinces with large Francophone populations should become officially bilingual.

Regions in which at least 10% of people are Francophones should become officially
bilingual.

Parents should have the right to choose to educate their children in Either English or
French.

Response to B&B Commissions's recommendations were mixed:

Francophones: The focus on language hid the bigger issue of Quebec's role in Canada &
its desire for independence.

Anglophones: Bilingualism was being forced on them.

Allophones: Commission's focus on only two languages pushed them to the sidelines.

Who, What, When, Where, Why?

By 1969, Pierre Trudeau and his Liberal government passed the Official Languages Act.

This act gave French and English equal status as Canada's official languages.

The act also said that government services must be provided in either official language.

All federal laws and regulations must be published in both English and French.

Parliamentary debates were to be translated in both languages.

To meet these requirements, civil servants were encouraged to become bilingual as well
as bilingual Francophones were actively recruited to fill government jobs.

New Brunswick became officially bilingual in 1969 and Ontatio improved French services in
areas where French is commonly used.

All provinces improved French-language instruction in schools, and many Anglophone

students enrolled in French-immersion programs that were introduced to many school
districts.

Significance of The Languages Act

A 2011 census found that 17.5% of Canadians said they could conduct a
conversation in both English and French.

The census also found that in Quebec, the rate of bilingualism rose between 2001
and 2011 from 40.8% to 42.6%.

The official Languages Act of 1969 is a significant act in history for many reasons
such as:

French Canadians are now more included in Canadian society

We are enhancing one of Canada's greatest traits- Multiculturalism, diversity and

a respect for all cultures, races and religions.

French Canadians have more services available to them.

French-immersion

programs in school, etc.

The Official Policy of Multiculturalism

BY: ANEESA CHOHAN

The 5W Analysis Overview

What?

Who?

In the House of Commons, by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau

When?

All Canadian citizens

Where?

An act that declares the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens
regardless of their racial or ethnic origins, their language, or their religious
affiliation.

October 8th 1971

Why?

Based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism

What, Who, When, Where, Why?

The B&B Commission was appointed in 1963.

Purpose: to examine the existing state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada and to work towards
developing an equal partnership between the English and French within Canada.

The B&B Commission was additionally instructed to consider the cultural contributions of other ethnic groups.

The commission recommended that minority groups should be given greater recognition and support in
preserving their cultures.

The recommendations of the commission were changed to become the governments official policy of
multiculturalism.

When giving his speech to the House of Commons, Pierre Trudeau stated that no single culture could define
Canada and that the government accepted "the contention of other cultural communities that they, too, are
essential elements in Canada.

The Multiculturalism Policy was established to

promote respect for cultural diversity

and grant ethnic groups the right to preserve and develop their own cultures within Canadian society.

Significance of The Multiculturalism Policy

The Multiculturalism Policy was very significant to Canadian society in many ways,
including:

People from all over the world view Canada as a welcoming country.

If everyone believes that they will be treated equally and fairly (no matter their religion,
race etc.) if they come to Canada, Canada's population will grow in terms of diversity.

Canada will be attracting people from all countries, who bring different ideas and values
with them.

Gives individuals and communities of all origins the ability to contribute to the
continuing evolution of Canada

ensure that Canadians of all origins (who are already living in Canada) have an equal
opportunity to obtain employment.

Sources Used

http://www.pier21.ca/research/immigration-history/canadian-multiculturalism-policy-1971

http://www.pbc-clcc.gc.ca/infocntr/multi-eng.shtml

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/official-languages-act-1969/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Languages_Act_%28Canada%29