Bill S-211 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 41st Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-211 amends the Official Languages Act to expand requirements for federal institutions to provide communications and services to the public in both English and French at specified locations, to ensure equal quality of services in both languages, and to establish a review process of related regulations after each 10-year census.
Bill S-211 proposes changes to Canada's Official Languages Act, which sets rules for how federal government institutions must communicate with the public in both English and French. The bill requires federal institutions to provide services and communications in both official languages at specific locations, including: - Airports and railway stations serving census metropolitan areas (as defined by Statistics Canada) - Airports and railway stations serving the national capital or provincial/territorial capitals - Ferry terminals that carry at least 100,000 passengers per year - Other transportation hubs that the government designates by regulation The bill adds a new duty for federal institutions: they must take reasonable steps to ensure that the communications and services they provide to the public are of equal quality in both English and French. This is a change from the current law, which focuses on availability rather than quality parity. The bill also requires federal institutions to consult with English and French-language minority communities about the quality of public services offered in each language. The bill creates a new review process: after every 10-year census, the President of the Treasury Board (or another minister designated by the Governor in Council) must review all regulations made under Part IV of the Act within 60 days of the census being published. This review must be completed within one year and must include consultation with English and French-language minority communities. The bill changes how exceptions to the language service requirements can be created. Currently, the government can prescribe certain circumstances where services don't have to be provided in both languages. The bill adds new categories of exceptions related to: - Services that significantly affect or benefit a language minority population in a specific geographic area - Situations involving language loss or assimilation, where applying the rule could help revitalize and advance the use of a minority language The bill adds new procedures for creating these regulations: any proposed regulation that provides exemptions or relieves institutions of their language duties must be tabled in Parliament (in draft form) at least 30 days before it is formally published in the Canada Gazette. This gives Parliament and the public a chance to comment before the regulation takes final effect. If passed, the bill would come into force 180 days after receiving royal assent (the Governor General's formal approval).
- Adds a new definition of 'metropolitan area' to the Official Languages Act, meaning any area classified by Statistics Canada in its most recent census as a census metropolitan area
- Requires federal institutions to ensure members of the public can communicate in either official language with, and obtain available services in either official language from, offices or facilities at: railway stations and airports serving a metropolitan area; railway stations and airports serving the national capital or a provincial or territorial capital; ferry terminals serving at least 100,000 passengers annually; and other facilities prescribed by regulation
- Adds a new duty for federal institutions to take every reasonable measure to ensure communications and services provided to the public are of equal quality in both official languages
- Requires federal institutions to consult with English and French linguistic minority communities about the quality of communications and services provided in each official language, in the manner prescribed by regulation
- Modifies paragraph 24(1)(a) of the Official Languages Act to specify categories of circumstances where exceptions to language service requirements can apply, relating to public health, safety or security; location of facilities; or national or international mandate
- Adds two new categories of exceptions: circumstances where services significantly affect or benefit a language minority population in a geographic area, and circumstances involving language loss or assimilation where applying the rule could revitalize or advance use of a minority language
- Changes the criteria the Governor in Council must consider when prescribing circumstances for exceptions to focus on the number of persons able to communicate in a minority language and the institutional vitality of the minority population
- Creates a new decennial review process requiring the President of the Treasury Board (or designated minister) to undertake a review of Part IV regulations within 60 days of each 10-year census publication, to be completed within one year, in consultation with English and French linguistic minority communities
- Establishes new parliamentary consultation procedures for regulations that exempt services or relieve institutions of language duties: draft regulations must be tabled in Parliament at least 30 days before publication in the Canada Gazette
- Establishes new public consultation procedures for proposed regulations that provide exemptions: they must be published in the Canada Gazette and in publications in general circulation in relevant regions in both official languages at least 30 days before the proposed effective date
- Specifies that only days when both Houses of Parliament sit count toward the 30-day periods for parliamentary review and public comment periods
- Provides that the bill comes into force 180 days after receiving royal assent
- Federal institutions (government agencies, departments, Crown corporations and other bodies subject to the Official Languages Act)
- Members of the public who communicate with federal institutions
- English-language linguistic minority communities (in provinces and regions where English is a minority language)
- French-language linguistic minority communities (in provinces and regions where French is a minority language)
- Travellers using airports, railway stations, ferry terminals and public ports across Canada
- Statistics Canada (responsible for conducting the decennial census that triggers reviews and defines metropolitan areas)
- The President of the Treasury Board and other designated ministers (responsible for undertaking decennial reviews and developing regulations)
- The Governor in Council (responsible for making regulations under the Act)
- Federal institutions must ensure members of the public can communicate in either official language with, and obtain available services in either official language from, offices or facilities at specified transportation locations (Section 2)
- Federal institutions must take every reasonable measure to ensure communications and services provided to the public are of equal quality in both official languages (Section 3)
- Federal institutions must consult with English and French linguistic minority communities about the quality of communications and services provided in each language, in the manner prescribed by regulation (Section 3)
- The President of the Treasury Board (or designated minister) must undertake a review of Part IV regulations within 60 days after each 10-year census is published, to be completed within one year, in consultation with English and French linguistic minority communities (Section 6)
- Draft proposed regulations that provide exemptions or relief from language duties must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament at least 30 days before publication in the Canada Gazette (Section 7)
- Proposed regulations providing exemptions or relief from language duties must be published in the Canada Gazette and in relevant publications in both official languages at least 30 days before the proposed effective date, with opportunity for public comment (Section 7)
- The bill would come into force 180 days after receiving royal assent (Section 8)
- For each 10-year census, the decennial review must begin within 60 days of the census being published and must be completed within one year (Section 6)
- Draft proposed regulations must be tabled in Parliament at least 30 days before publication in the Canada Gazette (only days when both Houses sit count toward this period) (Section 7)
- Proposed regulations must be published in the Canada Gazette at least 30 days before the proposed effective date (only days when both Houses sit count toward this period), allowing public comment (Section 7)
- The bill does not specify which federal institutions are subject to the Official Languages Act; this depends on the current scope of the Act itself, which is not provided in the bill text
- The bill does not specify which transportation facilities beyond those listed will be prescribed by regulation
- The specific manner in which federal institutions must consult with linguistic minority communities is not defined in the bill but is to be prescribed by regulation
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'equal quality' of services in both languages or specify how this will be measured or enforced
- The bill does not specify what measures are 'reasonable' for ensuring equal quality
- The specific factors and procedures for the decennial review are not detailed in the bill but are to be prescribed by regulation
- The bill does not clarify what authority or process will be used to enforce compliance with the new equal quality requirement
- The bill text does not indicate whether any additional funding will be provided to federal institutions to implement these requirements
The bill modifies multiple sections of the Official Languages Act to expand requirements for federal institutions to provide bilingual services at specific locations, to require equal quality of services in both languages, to establish consultation with language minorities, to create a regular review process for related regulations, and to add new parliamentary and public consultation requirements for regulations that provide exemptions to language service requirements.
Source: Sections 1-8 of Bill S-211
Adds a new definition of 'metropolitan area' meaning any area classified by Statistics Canada in its most recent census as a census metropolitan area.
Source: Section 1 of Bill S-211
Adds a new subsection 23(1.1) that specifies federal institutions have a duty to ensure the public can communicate in either official language with, and obtain available services in either official language from, offices or facilities in: railway stations and airports serving a metropolitan area; railway stations and airports serving the national capital or provincial/territorial capitals; ferry terminals serving at least 100,000 passengers annually; and other transportation facilities prescribed by regulation.
Source: Section 2 of Bill S-211
Modifies the existing provision to clarify that exceptions to language service requirements can be prescribed for circumstances relating to public health, safety or security; location of offices or facilities; or national or international mandate or services.
Source: Section 4 of Bill S-211
Adds two new categories of circumstances where exceptions to language service requirements can be prescribed: (a.1) where services significantly affect or benefit a language minority population in a geographic area, and (a.2) where the situation involves language loss or assimilation and applying the rule could revitalize or advance use of a minority language. Also adds new provisions requiring consultations with language minorities and prescribing the manner of such consultations.
Source: Sections 3 and 4 of Bill S-211
Adds regulation-making authority for: designating railway stations, ferry terminals, public ports, public port facilities and airports for language service requirements; prescribing the manner of consultation with English and French linguistic minority communities; determining circumstances relating to public and travelling public; and prescribing the manner of the decennial review. Changes the factors the Governor in Council must consider when prescribing exceptions to focus on the number of persons able to communicate in a minority language and the institutional vitality of the minority population.
Source: Section 5 of Bill S-211
Establishes that within 60 days after each 10-year census is published, the President of the Treasury Board (or designated minister) must undertake a review of all regulations made under Part IV of the Act, to be completed within one year, in consultation with English and French linguistic minority communities and in the manner prescribed by regulation.
Source: Section 6 of Bill S-211
Establishes new procedures for regulations that exempt services or relieve institutions of language duties. Section 86.1 defines 'regulation' for these purposes and requires that draft proposed regulations be tabled in Parliament at least 30 days before publication in the Canada Gazette (counting only days when both Houses sit). Section 86.2 requires that proposed regulations be published in the Canada Gazette and in publications in general circulation in relevant regions in both official languages at least 30 days before the proposed effective date (counting only days when both Houses sit), allowing the public to make representations.
Source: Section 7 of Bill S-211
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-211, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, completed its first reading in the Senate on May 16, 2012, and was later debated at second reading before being referred to committee.
This record outlines the initial procedural steps for Bill S-211 in the Senate. It was introduced at its first reading on May 16, 2012. Later, it proceeded to second reading on May 30, 2012, which involved major speeches on the bill. The bill was then referred to a committee on February 13, 2013, and is currently at the consideration in committee stage. A similar bill, S-220, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
On May 16, 2012, Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, was introduced and received its first reading in the Senate.
This document records the proceedings of the Senate on May 16, 2012. During this sitting, Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, received its first reading. Other Senate business included statements on various topics, tabling of committee reports, question period, and debates on other bills and inquiries. The main procedural event related to Bill S-211 was its introduction and first reading.
Bill S-211, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, completed second reading in the Senate and was then referred to a Senate committee for further consideration.
This artifact details the progress of Bill S-211 through the Senate. It shows that the bill completed its second reading stage on May 30, 2012. Following this, several major speeches were made concerning the bill between June 2012 and February 2013. The bill was then referred to a Senate committee on February 13, 2013, where it is currently under consideration. The artifact also notes that a similar bill, S-220, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-211, senators discussed proposed amendments to the Official Languages Act aimed at improving communications and services to official language minority communities by updating the criteria for "significant demand" and considering "institutional vitality."
On May 30, 2012, the Senate debated Bill S-211, which aims to amend Part IV of the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public. The debate included discussions on updating how "significant demand" for services in an official minority language is determined, considering factors beyond the "first official language spoken" to include the ability to communicate in the language and the "institutional vitality" of the community. Concerns were raised about the current regulations leading to a reduction in services and the potential for assimilation. The bill proposes changes to ensure official language minority communities receive services of equal quality and that the government consults these communities before reducing services. The debate also touched upon the need for services in major transportation hubs and the importance of reviewing regulations every ten years. The discussion on Bill S-211 was suspended at the end of the sitting.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-211, the sponsor explained its aim to update provisions for official language services, followed by the suspension of the debate.
This artifact is a record of the Senate debate at the second reading stage for Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Maria Chaput, delivered a speech explaining the bill's purpose and proposed changes. The debate was suspended, meaning it was not concluded on this day and will continue at a later sitting. Other senators also spoke on unrelated matters or general Senate business.
During a Senate sitting on June 7, 2012, the debate on Bill S-211, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, was continued as part of the second reading process, alongside other legislative business and discussions on various public issues.
On June 7, 2012, the Senate convened for a sitting where, among other routine proceedings and debates, Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, was scheduled for debate at second reading. The record indicates that the debate on Bill S-211 was continued, with the government indicating its intention to speak on it. The sitting also included Question Period where senators raised issues concerning missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls, human trafficking, funding for First Nations schools, and the celebration of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Other legislative items included the first reading of several bills and the continuation of debates on the Budget 2012, the Interpretation Act, and the Komagata Maru incident. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until June 11, 2012.
On October 16, 2012, the Senate met to pay tribute to former Senator Herb Sparrow, table reports, respond to questions, and continue debate on several bills, including amendments to the Official Languages Act, the Fisheries Act, and the Safe Food for Canadians Act.
The Senate met on October 16, 2012. The sitting included several items: tributes to the late Senator Herb Sparrow, tabling of annual reports from the Commissioner of Official Languages, responses to oral questions on various topics, and debate on several bills. Specifically, there was continued debate on amendments to the Fisheries Act (Bill S-210) and the Official Languages Act (Bill S-211). The seventh report of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee concerning the Safe Food for Canadians Act (Bill S-11) was adopted. Second reading debate on Bill S-211, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, was adjourned to allow for further research. The Senate also considered and adopted the fourth report of the Committee on Conflict of Interest for Senators and authorized the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources to study emerging issues related to its mandate.
On October 18, 2012, the Senate held a sitting that included tributes, routine proceedings, question period, and continued debates on bills related to official languages and employment insurance, as well as adopting committee reports.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on October 18, 2012. The sitting included debates on various topics, including tributes to retiring Senator Robert W. Peterson, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, International Day of the Girl Child, Governor General's Awards, the sinking of the SS Caribou, and Australia's election to the UN Security Council. It also involved the tabling of reports, first reading of a bill, and debates on questions related to prisoners' mental health, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The sitting concluded with continued debate on Bill S-211 (Official Languages Act amendment) and Bill C-316 (Employment Insurance Act amendment), the adoption of a report on Brazil, and the adoption of a report on cyberbullying. The Senate then adjourned.
The Senate continued its debate on Bill S-211, focusing on updating the Official Languages Act to ensure equal quality of language services for official language minority communities.
On November 1, 2012, the Senate continued its debate on Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. Senators discussed the importance of enhancing official language minority communities' vitality and ensuring equal quality in language services. The bill aims to update Part IV of the Official Languages Act by incorporating qualitative criteria alongside statistical analysis for providing services in both official languages. The debate also touched upon the historical evolution of the Official Languages Act and the need to align it with legal decisions and demographic changes. Senators noted that the bill would modernize the act, clarify regulations, and strengthen official bilingualism in federal jurisdictions. The debate was adjourned to a later date. Other Senate business included statements on various topics, tabling of committee reports, question period, and debates on other bills.
During the Senate sitting on December 4, 2012, senators debated and advanced various legislative items, including Bill S-211 concerning official languages, with the debate on this bill being adjourned.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on December 4, 2012. The sitting included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to discussions and notices of motion related to various bills and committee activities. Notably, the debate on Bill S-211, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public), was continued, and the motion to adjourn the debate was adopted. The sitting also featured discussions on other bills, including those related to First Nations financial transparency, labour and employment insurance, the prohibition of cluster munitions, amendments to the Criminal Code regarding sports betting, and amendments to the Food and Drugs Act concerning non-corrective contact lenses. In addition, the Senate adopted a report on Canada's Clinical Trial Infrastructure and rejected a motion to authorize a committee study on tax consequences of advocacy activities. Several notices of motion were presented, and a motion to urge the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh was adopted. An inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women was also initiated.
In the Senate on February 7, 2013, debate on Bill S-211 continued with a senator speaking in support of modernizing the Official Languages Act, while other Senate business included tributes and discussions on various government and committee reports.
On February 7, 2013, the Senate continued its debate on Bill S-211, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. During the sitting, senators also discussed other matters including tributes to notable Canadians, reports from various committees, and questions regarding the selection of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, veterans' affairs, and climate change strategy. The debate on Bill S-211 at second reading was continued, with Senator Joan Fraser speaking in support of the bill and highlighting its importance for linguistic minorities, particularly English-speaking Quebecers. The debate was then adjourned.
During the Senate's second reading debate of Bill S-211, senators discussed proposed changes to the Official Languages Act regarding service provision and the definition of 'significant demand', ultimately referring the bill to committee.
This Senate sitting record from February 13, 2013, primarily details the debate at the second reading of Bill S-211, which aims to amend the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public. The debate focused on the proposed changes to how "significant demand" is determined for official language services, with Senator Gerald J. Comeau expressing concerns about the bill's procedural approach and suggesting a more collaborative process with government officials. Other senators, like Senator Claudette Tardif, spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the need to modernize the Act to reflect current demographic and sociolinguistic realities and support official language minority communities. The sitting also included routine proceedings, tabling of reports, and statements on various topics including international issues, social concerns, and tributes to individuals. Following the debate, Bill S-211 was read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, on division.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-211, senators discussed the bill's proposed amendments to the Official Languages Act and debated the procedural approach taken by its sponsor before it was referred to committee.
This artifact is a record of the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-211, which aims to amend the Official Languages Act regarding communications with and services to the public. The debate primarily focused on the procedural aspects of the bill, with Senator Gerald J. Comeau expressing concerns about the approach taken by the bill's sponsor, Senator Maria Chaput. Senator Comeau argued that private members' bills, especially those proposing significant policy changes to acts like the Official Languages Act, should involve extensive consultation with government officials and ministers before being introduced. He suggested that Senator Chaput did not follow this process sufficiently. Other senators, including Senator Claudette Tardif, spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting its importance for modernizing the Official Languages Act and better protecting the linguistic rights of official language minority communities. They countered Senator Comeau's procedural criticisms by emphasizing the thoroughness of Senator Chaput's work and the need to adapt the act to current demographic realities. After the debate, the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, on division.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for First reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
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No published representative vote breakdown
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Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
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