Summary#

Bill C-13 updates the Official Languages Act and creates a new law for the use of French in federally regulated private businesses. It aims to protect and promote French, strengthen services and work rights in both English and French, and improve oversight and enforcement. Many parts took effect on June 20, 2024, with others scheduled for June 20, 2025, or by order of the Governor in Council.

• Expands rights to receive federally regulated private services in French in Quebec, and later in regions with a strong francophone presence (Part 2, s. 7(1)).
• Gives employees in federally regulated private businesses in Quebec the right to work and be supervised in French, get key documents in French, and see job ads in French (Part 2, s. 9(1)–(2.1)).
• Strengthens federal oversight, audits, and reporting by the Treasury Board; adds order-making powers and administrative monetary penalties in limited cases (Part 1, s. 46(3); Administrative Monetary Penalties, max $25,000).
• Requires federal courts’ precedential decisions to be available simultaneously in both languages; confirms equal access to justice in both languages (Part 1, s. 20(1)(a.1), 20(2)).
• Mandates a francophone immigration policy with targets and indicators (Part 1, s. 44(1)–(2)).
• Phased-in dates and transitional rules; some powers begin only when set by order (Coming into Force; Part 2, transitional clauses).

What it means for you#

• Households and consumers

  • In Quebec: You have the right to communicate and receive available services in French from federally regulated private businesses (banks, airlines, telecoms, etc.), without losing the option to use English if offered (Part 2, s. 7(1), 7(3), 8).
  • Outside Quebec: The same right will later apply in “regions with a strong francophone presence,” to be defined by regulation (Part 2, amendments to s. 4, 7(1), 33(1)(b), 33(2.1)).
  • Complaints: You can complain to the Commissioner of Official Languages about service in French from these businesses (Part 2, s. 16–17).

• Workers in federally regulated private businesses (FRPBs)

  • In Quebec: You have the right to work and be supervised in French; to receive key employment documents and communications in French; and to use common tools and systems in French (Part 2, s. 9(1)–(2)).
  • Job postings assigned to Quebec workplaces must be published in French at the same time as any posting in another language, using similar channels and reach (Part 2, s. 9(2.1)).
  • Employers must take measures to foster the use of French at work (e.g., a committee and programs to generalize French use) and cannot treat you adversely for asserting language rights (Part 2, s. 10(1)–(1.1), 11(1), 11(6)–(8)).
  • Limits: Individual contracts can be in another language if you agree (with safeguards), and employers may require another language only if it is objectively needed for the job and certain steps are taken (Part 2, s. 9(4)–(6); 11(3)–(4)).
  • Remedies: You can complain to the Commissioner; in some cases, the Canada Industrial Relations Board can order reinstatement or compensation (Part 2, s. 18–28).

• Employees of federal institutions

  • You have the right to use English or French at work where prescribed; managers in certain roles need the ability to communicate in both languages; deputy ministers must take language training (Part 1, s. 34–36).
  • New rule that employees must be supervised in their chosen official language takes effect on June 20, 2025, with acquired-rights protections (Part 1, s. 36(1)(c)(ii), 36(3); Coming into Force).
  • Federal institutions must consider and mitigate negative impacts on official language communities when making structuring decisions and include language clauses in certain federal–provincial agreements (Part 1, s. 41(7)–(10.4)).

• Travelling public

  • Federal courts’ final decisions with precedential value must be available simultaneously in both languages, supporting clarity of rights (Part 1, s. 20(1)(a.1)).
  • Certain designated transportation sector corporations serving the travelling public can face administrative monetary penalties up to $25,000 per violation for Part IV service failures (regulations define scope) (Part 1, Administrative Monetary Penalties).

• Community organizations, schools, and local governments

  • Federal institutions have a duty to take “positive measures” to enhance the vitality of English and French minority communities and to publish certain agreements that include official languages clauses, subject to access-to-information limits (Part 1, s. 41(5)–(10.4)).
  • Disposal of surplus federal property must consider minority-language community needs, with consultations (Part 1, disposal strategy clauses).

• Immigrants and prospective immigrants

  • The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration must adopt a policy on francophone immigration, including objectives, targets, indicators, and reporting (Part 1, s. 44(1)–(2)).

• Timing

  • Many provisions took effect on June 20, 2024 (first anniversary of Royal Assent). Some take effect on June 20, 2025 (second anniversary). Others start on dates set by order, including certain enforcement powers for FRPB complaints (Coming into Force; Part 2 transitional clauses).

Expenses#

• Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
• Fiscal information
  • The bill includes a Royal Recommendation (permission to spend) but does not state dollar amounts. It creates new duties for the Treasury Board, the Commissioner of Official Languages, and the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which imply ongoing administrative costs (Part 1, s. 46(3); Part 2, amendments to Canada Labour Code).
  • New enforcement tools include orders and administrative monetary penalties; penalty revenues, if any, are remitted to the Receiver General (Part 1, AMPs, debt and Receiver General provisions).
  • Private-sector compliance costs (e.g., bilingual communications, translation, committees, job posting rules) will vary by firm size and sector. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Enhances French where it is most at risk by creating enforceable consumer and workplace rights in Quebec and later in francophone regions, while allowing service in English when offered (Part 2, s. 7(1), 7(3), 9(1)).
• Moves from intent to accountability: Treasury Board must set policies, audit institutions, and report annually; the Commissioner can make orders and use penalties in defined cases (Part 1, s. 46(3); s. 64.5; AMPs max $25,000).
• Improves access to justice: federal courts’ precedential decisions must be available at the same time in both languages, reducing delays or uncertainty (Part 1, s. 20(1)(a.1)).
• Requires a francophone immigration policy with targets and indicators, addressing the decline in the demographic weight of French communities (Part 1, s. 44(1)–(2); preamble commitments).
• Strengthens “positive measures” and transparency for federal–provincial agreements, supporting minority-language education, culture, health, justice, employment, and immigration sectors (Part 1, s. 41(6)(c), 41(7)–(10.4)).
• Clarifies that obligations apply at all times, including during emergencies, helping prevent service gaps (Preamble; Part 1 general clauses).

Opponents' View#

• Compliance burden on businesses: FRPBs must translate documents, run French-use committees, and publish job ads in French; costs may be high for smaller firms once thresholds are set (Part 2, s. 9–11, 33(1)(a)–(b)). Data unavailable.
• Overlap and complexity with Quebec’s Charter of the French Language; firms must choose which regime applies in Quebec and follow notice rules, creating legal uncertainty (Part 2, s. 6(1)–(2)).
• Unclear scope outside Quebec until “regions with a strong francophone presence” are defined by regulation, increasing planning risk for employers and consumers (Part 2, amendments to s. 4, 7(1), 9(1), 33(1)(b), 33(2.1)).
• Enforcement is uneven: AMPs apply only to designated transportation sector bodies serving the travelling public; other sectors rely on orders or negotiated compliance, which may reduce deterrence (Part 1, AMPs application and regulations).
• Implementation risk: Many provisions start by order of the Governor in Council; some Commissioner powers for FRPB complaints are delayed by transitional clauses, which could slow early enforcement (Part 2, transitional clauses; Coming into Force).
• Federal institutions face broader duties to assess and mitigate negative impacts on language communities and to include language clauses in agreements, which may complicate negotiations with provinces and territories (Part 1, s. 41(7)(a.1), (8)–(10.4)).