QCGN Supports Commissioner’s Call for Symmetry in the Official Languages Act

 https://qcgn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/OCOL-Annual-Report.-2021.06.01.pdf?fbclid=IwAR34L7MZwjKB6UJVhVGI69gzfAYjGpbz_WJ6v3IA96hbF67QDgvVRmYDSU8

MONTREAL, June 1, 2021 – Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Théberge is advising the federal government to maintain the equal status of French and English in its coming changes to the Official Languages Act. The Quebec Community Groups Network enthusiastically endorses this advice. In his annual report tabled in the House of Commons today, Commissioner Théberge said he is “pleased to see that the Government of Canada’s proposed overhaul is based on the principle of substantive equality, because beyond guaranteeing the equal status of English and French, the new Act must provide the means to actually achieve this equality.” “The Commissioner of Official Languages has taken a principled stand in defence of the equality of Canada’s two official languages,” comments QCGN President Marlene Jennings: “We concur with his recommendation that the government focus on substantive equality rather than legislative asymmetry, in order to foster the development and vitality of both of Canada’s official language minority communities.” Substantive equ