Supporting the Vitality
of Canada's Minority
Language Communities.

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The International Observatory on Language Rights

The International Observatory on Language Rights aims, on the one hand, to promote the vitality of minority language communities in Canada by urging these communities to take part in the development of their rights and, on the other hand, to acquaint other countries with the Canadian experience by sharing with them how Canada has dealt with its official languages problems. Conversely, the Observatory hopes to help Canadians gain better insight into the linguistic situation in other countries, thereby providing an opportunity to learn from their experience, and offering different problem-solving avenues.
Les appelants ont été accusés d'infractions à la Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000, c.T-6. Un juge de la Cour provinciale les a déclarés non-coupables et a conclu que la loi applicable et son règlement étaient invalides du fait que la province de l'Alberta avait l'obligation constitu-tionnelle de publier sa législation en anglais et en français. L'appel de cette décision a été accueilli par la Cour du Banc de la Reine. Notre Cour a accordé l'autorisation d'interjeter appel relati-vement aux questions suivantes : (1) est-ce que les lois de la province de l'Alberta doivent être imprimées et publiées en anglais et en français ? et (2) est-ce que la Loi linguistique, RSA 2000, c.L-6, est ultra vires ou sans effet dans la mesure où elle abroge une obligation constitutionnelle de l'Alberta d'imprimer et de publier ses lois et règlements en anglais et en français ? The appellants were charged with offences under the Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000 c T-6. A provincial court judge acquitted them, and found that the relevant statute and regulations were inoperative as the province of Alberta was constitutionally required to publish its legislation in both English and French. An appeal to the Court of Queen's Bench was allowed. This court granted leave to appeal on the following questions: (1) must the statutes of the province of Alberta be printed and published in English and French; and (2) is the Languages Act, RSA 2000, c L-6 ultra vires or of no force or effect to the extent that it abrogates Alberta's constitutional obli-gation to print and publish its statutes and regulations in English and French?

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Each year, the Observatory participates in or organizes numerous conferences. Find out more about these events and what is involved!
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