Official languages report: a 'tidal wave' of complaints in 2021-2022
Canada's official languages commissioner said Tuesday his office received a "tidal wave" of complaints last year, triggered by the appointment of a governor general who isn't fluent in French and an English-only speech delivered by Air Canada's CEO.
The office received 5,409 complaints during the 2021-22 period, compared to a number that fluctuated between 415 and 1,870 in the nine preceding years. Almost 75 per cent of complaints last year involved the Governor General and the Air Canada CEO, according to a report tabled Tuesday by commissioner Raymond Theberge.
Theberge told reporters it is an "error" to name people who can't speak both official languages to positions of authority. "If we make exceptions," he said, "the message that it gives is that there's a language more important than the other."
"The message," he said, "comes from above; the example comes from above."
Theberge's office received 1,346 complaints following the July appointment of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon -- the first Indigenous person named to the role -- due to her poor grasp of the French language. Simon, meanwhile, is fluent in English and Inuktitut.
His office also received 2,680 complaints after Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada -- which is subject to the Official Languages Act -- gave a speech in November during which he barely spoke French. Rousseau triggered further outcry when he told reporters after his speech he did not need to learn French to get by in Montreal. He later apologized and has since started taking French lessons.
In his report, the commissioner recommended that a parliamentary committee analyze whether knowledge of French and English should be a prerequisite for people being considered for high-ranking posts in the public sector and for posts that require nomination by government officials.
The nomination criteria for the governor general should be included in that study, Theberge said, adding that bilingualism is "extremely important" at all levels of government.
"Linguistic duality," he said, "is a value that all Canadians share, and we need to do whatever we can to make it a real priority in Canada."
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 7, 2022. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist, source confirms
Police have made arrests in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a senior government source has confirmed to CTV News.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.