Statement by Official Languages Critic Yvon Godin (Acadie – Bathurst) on 50th anniversary of Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism

Fifty years ago, the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism – better known as the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission – began important work that would change the linguistic and cultural landscape of the country considerably.

Established to investigate the state of bilingualism in the federal government and find ways to safeguard the contribution of Canada’s multicultural communities, the Commission left important legacies and helped shape Canada’s distinctive identity. The Commission’s recommendations gave birth to the Official Languages Act, the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, a federal department of multiculturalism as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Francophones made major gains thanks to the Commission, especially within a federal government that had previously been operating mainly in English. It led the federal government to invest in French language training and bilingualism finally became a real federal priority. Many provinces also increased services in French, following the Commission’s recommendations.

However half a century later, bilingualism is still not a given. For the first time since the Official Languages Act was introduced, bilingualism is declining in the country according to a recent Statistics Canada survey. This reminds us that we must continue our efforts to promote both official languages. Unfortunately, the Conservative government has not made official languages a priority, as evidenced by their decision to drastically reduce staff at the Centre of Excellence for Official Languages and close the country’s only bilingual search and rescue centre.

The NDP takes language issues very seriously. We are proud to have worked across party lines to pass a New Democrat bill which recognizes bilingualism as essential to the duties of officers of Parliament—and we will continue to call on the Conservatives to respect the Official Languages Act.

Canadians can count on the NDP to protect Canada’s linguistic duality and multiculturalism. On this 50th anniversary of the Commission, we commit to celebrating and protecting them for future generations.