Backgrounder: Official Languages Funding

Centre Canadien de Français Juridique

A Canada-Wide Analysis of Official Language Training Needs in the Area of Justice was conducted in 2009. The analysis found that while a significant number of justice stakeholders had a basic ability to communicate in both official languages, there was a need for advanced training to improve their legal vocabulary and make the justice system truly institutionally bilingual. The analysis also concluded that the current supply of training activities did not meet the demand for language training needs.

The Centre canadien de français juridique was created to specifically address the training needs that were identified in the Canada-Wide Analysis. Created in the spring of 2010, it offers training designed for various provincial stakeholders in the legal system, mainly court clerks, probation officers, and Crown prosecutors. The Centre may eventually train additional groups such as judges, lawyers and police officers.

The Government has provided the Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law with $1.2M for the period of March 2010 until March 2013 specifically to establish the Centre and create the learning tools and resources that are required. An additional $2.4M has been granted to the Centre for the same period (March 2010 until March 2013) to recruit and train staff and develop the learning session for various groups. To date, the Centre has provided sessions to Crown prosecutors, probation officers, and court clerks in Iqaluit, St. John's, Yellowknife, Edmonton, Halifax, and Moncton. Further sessions are currently being planned for Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Whitehorse and Winnipeg.

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

The Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund was created in 2003 to increase the capacity of justice system professionals to develop their skills in both official languages. The fund also provides solutions on official languages issues, and heightens awareness of the importance of official language rights in the legal community. The fund is part of the Government’s investment under the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality, 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.

The Support Fund currently benefits from a $41-million investment until March 31, 2013.  This amount includes new funding of $20 million to:  increase linguistic training efforts for people already working in the justice system; and, train and recruit young bilingual Canadians who show an interest in justice-related careers.

Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality, 2008-2013: Acting for the Future

In June 2008, the Government of Canada released the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future. This Roadmap demonstrates the government’s commitment to linguistic duality and to the vitality of official-language minority communities. This unprecedented, government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years, divided among 13 departments and federal agencies, will encourage linguistic duality among Canadians, and offer support to official-language minority communities with increased government support in five priority areas: health, justice, immigration, economic development, and arts and culture.

More information about the Roadmap can be found at: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/slo-ols/strat-eng.cfm

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Department of Justice Canada
November 2010