Bill S-205 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, 2nd 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-205 amends the Official Languages Act to require federal institutions to provide equal-quality communications and services in English and French at specified locations and to consult with language minority communities.
Bill S-205 amends the Official Languages Act to strengthen requirements for federal institutions to provide communications and services to the public in both English and French. The bill adds a legal requirement that federal institutions must ensure communications and services are of equal quality in both official languages. It creates specific locations where federal institutions must provide bilingual services, including railway stations and airports serving major population centres, national and provincial capitals, and ferry terminals serving at least 100,000 passengers annually. The bill requires federal institutions to consult with English and French linguistic minority communities about the quality of services provided in each language. It establishes a new review process that must occur within 60 days after each ten-year census to examine regulations related to official languages services. The bill also adds new requirements for how regulations that create exceptions to the Official Languages Act must be developed, including consultation with Parliament and publication in both languages before taking effect. The bill comes into force 180 days after royal assent.
- Adds a new requirement that federal institutions ensure communications and services provided to the public are of equal quality in both official languages
- Creates specific locations where federal institutions must provide bilingual communications and services: railway stations and airports serving metropolitan areas; railway stations and airports serving the national capital or provincial/territorial capitals; ferry terminals serving at least 100,000 passengers annually; and other facilities designated by regulation
- Requires federal institutions to consult with English and French linguistic minority communities about the quality of communications and services provided in each official language
- Defines 'metropolitan area' as any area classified by Statistics Canada as a census metropolitan area in its most recent census
- Establishes that regulations under the Official Languages Act may allow exceptions based on: health, safety or security concerns; location of offices; national or international mandate; significant effects on English or French linguistic minority populations; and circumstances related to language loss or revitalization
- Creates a mandatory review of regulations under Part IV of the Official Languages Act within 60 days following each ten-year census, to be completed within one year
- Requires that any proposed regulation creating exceptions to bilingual services requirements must be tabled in Parliament at least 30 days before being published in the Canada Gazette
- Requires proposed regulations to be published in the Canada Gazette and in publications circulating in relevant regions in both English and French at least 30 days before taking effect, allowing public comment
- Applies new consultation requirements specifically to regulations that exempt services or relieve institutions of their duty to provide bilingual communications and services
- Federal institutions and their employees responsible for providing communications and services to the public
- Members of the public communicating with federal institutions
- English linguistic minority communities in Canada
- French linguistic minority communities in Canada
- Passengers and users of railway stations, airports, and ferry terminals
- Federal institutions must ensure any member of the public can communicate in either official language and obtain available services in either official language at specified locations including railway stations and airports serving metropolitan areas, national and provincial capitals, and large ferry terminals
- Federal institutions must take every reasonable measure to ensure communications and services are of equal quality in both official languages
- Federal institutions must consult with English and French linguistic minority communities about the quality of communications and services provided in each language
- Federal institutions must ensure that regulations allowing exceptions to bilingual services are developed following specific consultation and publication procedures
- Bill comes into force 180 days after royal assent
- Review of regulations must be undertaken within 60 days following publication of each decennial (ten-year) census
- Review of regulations must be completed within one year from when it is undertaken
- Draft regulations must be tabled in Parliament at least 30 days before publication in the Canada Gazette (counting only days when both Houses of Parliament are sitting)
- Proposed regulations must be published at least 30 days before taking effect (counting only days when both Houses of Parliament are sitting)
- The bill does not specify the exact date of royal assent, so the precise commencement date cannot be calculated from the bill text alone
- The bill indicates that certain locations and circumstances are to be 'prescribed by regulation' but the specific regulations are not included in the bill text, so the full scope of obligations cannot be determined from the bill alone
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'equal quality' of communications and services, leaving interpretation to federal institutions and future regulations
- The manner and specific procedures for consulting with linguistic minority communities are to be 'prescribed by regulation,' which is not detailed in the bill
- The bill does not specify what enforcement mechanisms or penalties apply if federal institutions fail to meet their obligations
The Official Languages Act is amended to introduce requirements for equal quality communications and services in both official languages, to specify locations where bilingual services are mandatory, to establish new consultation and review processes, and to create stricter requirements for regulations that create exceptions to Part IV requirements.
Source: Sections 1-8 of Bill S-205
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 textThe official summary published alongside the bill, shown exactly as written.
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament.
This is the official summary published by the Parliament of Canada, shown verbatim. Not legal advice. PoliticalData.ca did not write or edit this text.
View on LEGISinfoParliamentary Process
Bill S-205, aiming to amend the Official Languages Act regarding public communications and services, completed its first reading in the Senate on October 23, 2013, and was subsequently referred to committee.
This record shows that Bill S-205, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, had its first reading in the Senate on October 23, 2013. The bill was later referred to a Senate committee on June 12, 2014. The record also lists several dates for speeches and committee meetings related to the bill's progression through the Senate.
On October 23, 2013, the Senate proceeded with the first reading of Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, amidst extensive debate on unrelated matters and motions concerning the suspension of three senators.
During a Senate sitting on October 23, 2013, Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, was introduced and received its first reading. The sitting also included discussions on other matters, such as the National Optics Institute's anniversary, Small Business Week, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Ordre des francophones d'Amérique Award, and the Growing Forward 2 agricultural policy framework. Debates also occurred regarding the proposed Quebec Charter of Values, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and the nomination of Supreme Court judges. Significant portions of the sitting were dedicated to lengthy debates and points of order concerning motions to suspend Senators Patrick Brazeau, Pamela Wallin, and Michael Duffy.
Bill S-205 completed its second reading in the Senate and was then sent to a committee.
The Senate completed the second reading stage for Bill S-205. Following this, the bill was referred to a committee for further examination. The official record indicates speeches were made by Senators during the second reading process.
During a Senate sitting on November 5, 2013, senators debated various issues and voted on the suspension of three senators, while also initiating the second reading debate for Bill S-205 concerning official languages.
This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 5, 2013. It includes discussions on various topics such as the Micronutrient Initiative, the terrorist attack in Nairobi, the release of a political prisoner from Iran, the adoption system in Canada, achievements in agricultural biotechnology, and the well-being of military families. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to the debate and voting on the suspension of Senators Patrick Brazeau, Michael Duffy, and Pamela Wallin, with specific conditions outlined for their suspension. Additionally, a bill to amend the Official Languages Act (Bill S-205) was introduced for second reading debate, which was subsequently adjourned. The sitting also included the tabling of reports and notices of motions.
The Senate debated Bill S-205, which seeks to modernize the criteria for providing federal services in minority official languages, with the sponsor emphasizing the need to consider community vitality over outdated statistics.
This artifact documents a debate in the Senate regarding Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act. The bill aims to update how federal institutions determine the need to provide services in both official languages, particularly in minority language communities. The sponsor of the bill argued that current criteria are outdated and do not accurately reflect community needs, potentially leading to reduced services and assimilation. The debate also included discussions on other unrelated matters such as the Micronutrient Initiative, the terrorist attack in Nairobi, adoption systems, scientific laureates, and a motion to suspend certain senators.
The Senate debated Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, and the debate was adjourned.
On January 28, 2014, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public. Senator Yonah Martin noted that she had adjourned the debate and was not the critic for this bill. She asked senators to permit her to reset the clock and stated she would ensure the critic spoke on the bill at the next opportunity. The debate was subsequently adjourned.
During a Senate sitting on March 26, 2014, debate continued on Bill S-205, concerning official languages, and numerous other matters including government estimates and election laws, before the sitting was adjourned.
This document is a record of a Senate sitting on March 26, 2014, where, among other matters, debate continued on Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. The debate on Bill S-205 was adjourned to the next sitting. The sitting also included discussions on various other topics, including the recruitment of children in armed conflict, the International Day of La Francophonie, the Active at School initiative, the Senate's conflict of interest code, registered disability savings plans, new bills introduced, and the government's main and supplementary estimates for the upcoming fiscal years. Significant time was also spent discussing the Fair Elections Bill, voter fraud, and the role of the Senate in representing Canada's regions. The sitting concluded with adjournment.
During a Senate sitting on May 15, 2014, Bill S-205, aimed at amending the Official Languages Act, was debated at second reading, with differing views expressed on its necessity and appropriate committee referral, before the debate was adjourned.
This document is a record of a Senate sitting on May 15, 2014. During this sitting, the Senate debated Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. Senator Nicole Eaton spoke in favour of the bill's intent to respect official languages and highlighted progress in bilingual federal employment. She stated that the government does not support the bill, arguing that the existing Official Languages Act and Regulations provide a sufficient legal framework and that the bill could lead to increased service offerings where demand does not exist, potentially mismanaging public funds. Senator Maria Chaput and Senator Pierrette Ringuette disagreed, arguing the bill should be studied by the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages due to its focus on minority language rights, rather than the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, which they felt lacked the necessary expertise. The debate on Bill S-205 was adjourned.
During a Senate debate on Bill S-205, Senator Eaton explained the government's commitment to official languages and opposition to the bill due to concerns about unnecessary costs and service designations, while Senators Chaput and Ringuette argued for referral to a more specialized committee.
During a Senate debate on May 15, 2014, Senator Nicole Eaton spoke about Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. She stated the government's commitment to respecting both official languages and highlighted progress in promoting French and English use in the federal public service. Senator Eaton emphasized that there is no intention to weaken minority language rights. She explained that the existing Official Languages Act and Regulations provide a strong legal framework for linguistic rights and that the government's current approach, guided by the Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages, ensures bilingual services are provided where there is demonstrable demand, managed responsibly with public funds. She expressed concerns that the bill could lead to a designation of bilingual status for federal offices where there is little demand, creating unnecessary costs. Therefore, she stated the government did not support the bill and suggested it be studied by the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. Senator Maria Chaput disagreed with referring the bill to the Finance Committee, arguing that the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages is better equipped to study matters of language rights and that the bill's focus is on services, not solely on costs. Senator Pierrette Ringuette also supported referring the bill to the Official Languages Committee, stating that the Finance Committee lacks the specific expertise required for this bill.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-205, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, the bill proceeded to committee, while other legislative and procedural matters were also addressed.
On June 12, 2014, the Senate convened for a second reading debate on Bill S-205, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. Following the debate, the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages. The Senate also addressed various other items, including tabling of reports, presentation of committee reports, and debates on several other bills.
Bill S-205, concerning amendments to the Official Languages Act, was at the stage of Senate committee consideration on June 15, 2015, following its second reading.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-205, "An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public)". As of June 15, 2015, the bill was undergoing consideration in a Senate committee. This stage of the process involves detailed examination of the bill by committee members. The artifact lists the dates when the committee met to consider the bill, starting from October 20, 2014, and including the date of this artifact, June 15, 2015. The process shows the bill was referred to committee on June 12, 2014, after completing its second reading in the Senate. The artifact also notes similar bills that have been introduced in the current and previous Parliaments.
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
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
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.
How this data is sourced