2011-2016 Action Plan for the Implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act

1. SECTION 41 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT

Section 41 of the Official Languages Act is found in Part VII, entitled Advancement of English and French.Footnote 1

The section reads as follows:

Government policy

41. (1) The Government of Canada is committed to (a) enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and (b) fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

Duty of federal institutions

41. (2) Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that positive measures are taken for the implementation of the commitments under subsection (1). For greater certainty, this implementation shall be carried out while respecting the jurisdiction and powers of the provinces.

Regulations

41. (3) The Governor in Council may make regulations in respect of federal institutions, other than the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, office of the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, office of the Senate Ethics Officer or office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, prescribing the manner in which any duties of those institutions under this Part are to be carried out.

Part VII is enforceable pursuant to subsection 77(1) of the Official Languages Act, meaning that the obligations stated in this part of the Law can be the subject of court remedies.