Supporting the Vitality
of Canada's Minority
Language Communities.

Photo de drapeaux des pays du monde

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.
Textes bilingues Bilingual texts
2-18(1) Les versions française et anglaise d’un texte édicté dans ces deux langues font également foi. 2-18(1) The English and French versions of an enactment that is enacted in both languages are equally authoritative.
(2) Le lieutenant-gouverneur en conseil peut, par règlement, fixer l’équivalent officiel en langue française du titre ou du nom d’un lieu, d’un organisme, d’une personne morale, d’une association, d’un dirigeant, d’un officiel, d’une personne, d’une partie ou d’une chose. (2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing an official French language equivalent for the title or name of any place, body, corporation, society, officer, functionary, person, party or thing.
Règles d’interprétation de certains termes anglais et français Rules of interpretation for certain English and French words
2-30(1) Dans la version anglaise des textes : 2-30(1) In the English version of an enactment:
a) le terme « shall » exprime l’obligation d’agir; (a) “shall” shall be interpreted as imperative;
b) le terme « must » exprime l’obligation d’agir; (b) “must” shall be interpreted as imperative; and
c) le terme « may » exprime la faculté et le pouvoir d’agir. (c) “may” shall be interpreted as permissive and empowering.
(2) Dans la version française des textes : (2) In the French version of an enactment:
a) l’obligation s’exprime habituellement par l’indicatif présent du verbe opérant ou parfois par d’autres mots ou expressions rendant cette notion; (a) obligation is usually expressed by the use of the present indicative form of the relevant verb and occasionally by other words or expressions that convey that meaning; and
b) l’octroi de pouvoirs, de droits, d’autorisations ou de permissions s’exprime habituellement par le verbe « pouvoir » ou parfois par d’autres expressions rendant ces notions. (b) the conferring of a power, right, authorization or permission is usually expressed by the use of the verb “pouvoir” and occasionally by other expressions that convey those meanings.

Our Events

Each year, the Observatory participates in or organizes numerous conferences. Find out more about these events and what is involved!
view all the events
img section events2x 1