Bill S-237 explained in plain English
An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 40th 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
This bill recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples in Canada to use, preserve, revitalize, and promote their languages, and commits the Government of Canada to support these efforts.
Bill S-237, titled the "Aboriginal Languages of Canada Act", aims to recognize and promote the use, preservation, and revitalization of Indigenous languages in Canada. It establishes a government commitment to support these languages and outlines specific actions the responsible Minister is to take. The bill also includes provisions for agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous governments, and requires annual reporting on the Act's implementation. The Governor in Council may make regulations to support the Act's objectives.
- Recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples in Canada to use, preserve, revitalize, and promote their languages.
- States the Government of Canada's commitment to preserve, revitalize, and promote Indigenous languages.
- Requires the designated Minister to take measures to implement these commitments.
- Allows for agreements between the Minister and provinces, territories, or Indigenous governments to implement the Act.
- Mandates consultation with Indigenous leaders and governing bodies on policies and programs under the Act.
- Allows the Governor in Council to make regulations to support the Act's objectives.
- Requires the Minister to table an annual report in Parliament on the Act's operation.
- Indigenous peoples of Canada (including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis)
- Federal government (specifically the Minister designated by the Governor in Council)
- Provincial and territorial governments
- Municipal and local authorities
- Educational institutions (elementary, secondary, and higher education)
- Aboriginal governments
- Indigenous peoples have the right to use, preserve, revitalize, and promote their languages.
- Indigenous peoples have the freedom to share their cultural heritage through their languages.
- The Government of Canada is committed to preserving, revitalizing, and promoting Indigenous languages.
- The Minister is obligated to take measures to implement the Act's commitments and objectives.
- The Minister must consult with Indigenous leaders and governing bodies.
- The Act comes into force on a date set by the Governor in Council, no later than two years after receiving Royal Assent.
- The bill does not limit or preclude the funding of English or French language education or training programs for Indigenous persons.
- The specific Minister responsible for the Act is to be designated by the Governor in Council.
- The Act does not explicitly define what constitutes 'appropriate' use of Indigenous languages or specific measures the Minister 'considers appropriate'.
This bill would establish the Aboriginal Languages of Canada Act.
Source: Title, Section 1
The bill clarifies that it does not affect existing Aboriginal or treaty rights under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Source: Section 4
The Governor in Council can create regulations to help achieve the Act's objectives.
Source: Section 10
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-237, concerning the advancement of aboriginal languages and recognition of aboriginal language rights, completed its first reading in the Senate on May 28, 2009.
This record shows the procedural step of Bill S-237, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights, receiving its first reading in the Senate on May 28, 2009. This is a formal procedural step where the bill is introduced to the chamber. The record also indicates that the bill later proceeded to second reading, with debate occurring on November 26, 2009, and a sponsor's speech on October 6, 2009.
On May 28, 2009, the Senate conducted routine proceedings, tabled committee reports, and introduced Bill S-237 for the advancement of aboriginal languages, alongside other legislative business and senator statements.
This document summarizes the proceedings of the Senate on May 28, 2009. During this sitting, various routine proceedings, committee reports, and notices of motions were presented. Notably, Bill S-237, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights, received its first reading. The Senate also debated and advanced several other bills, including those related to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, the Marine Liability Act, the Federal Courts Act, and the Criminal Code. Several senators also made statements on various topics, including university research, Canadian immigrants, linguistic duality, and anniversaries.
Bill S-237, concerning the advancement and recognition of Aboriginal languages in Canada, was undergoing debate at the second reading stage in the Senate as of November 26, 2009.
This record describes the status of Bill S-237 in the Senate as of November 26, 2009. The bill was at the second reading stage. The latest activity noted was debate at second reading on November 26, 2009. The bill had its first reading on May 28, 2009, and its second reading debate began on October 6, 2009, with a speech by Senator Serge Joyal.
On October 6, 2009, the Senate debated Bill S-237 concerning Indigenous languages, but the debate was adjourned to a later time.
On October 6, 2009, the Senate convened. The Senate debated Bill S-237, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights. The debate was adjourned, meaning it was paused and will continue at a later date. The sitting also included various other routine proceedings, question period, and debates on other bills and motions.
During the Senate's second reading of Bill S-237, Senator Joyal presented the historical significance and importance of Indigenous languages in Canada, highlighting the bill's support from Indigenous communities.
The Senate is continuing its second reading debate on Bill S-237, an Act for the advancement of Aboriginal languages in Canada. Senator Serge Joyal spoke about the historical context of Aboriginal languages in Canada, emphasizing their importance and the negative impact of past assimilationist policies. He noted that the bill has received support in principle from various Aboriginal groups and organizations. The debate was adjourned to a later date. The rest of the Senate proceedings included statements on various topics, tabling of reports, and Question Period, as well as debates on other bills.
During a Senate sitting on November 26, 2009, debate on Bill S-237, concerning Aboriginal languages, was continued and subsequently adjourned.
This record details a sitting of the Senate on November 26, 2009. The Senate engaged in routine proceedings, question period, and continued debates on several bills, including Bill S-237, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights. The debate on Bill S-237 was adjourned to allow for further preparation.
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