Bill 117 2004

An Act to provide for an English and French languages policy for the City of Ottawa

Preamble

The City of Ottawa is the capital of Canada, a bilingual country that has English and French as its two official languages. As the capital, it is the residence of a substantial number of English-speaking and French-speaking persons, including a large Franco-Ontarian population and a larger bilingual population.

The residents of Ottawa respect its bilingual character as a day-to-day part of their lives.

It is appropriate to ensure that the residents of the city receive a full range of municipal services in both English and French.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1.  The City of Ottawa Act, 1999 is amended by adding the following section:

English and French languages policy

5.1  (1)  The city shall have a languages policy that provides that, to the extent that the city determines is reasonable in the circumstances,

(a) the city shall conduct its administration in both English and French; and

(b) the city shall make available to the public in English and French the municipal services that the policy specifies.

Implementation

(2)  The policy shall provide for its implementation by the city.

Right of the public

(3)  A member of the public has the right to communicate in English or French with any office of the city and to receive, in English or French as requested, the municipal services that the policy requires the city to make available to the public in English and French.

Commencement

2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3.  The short title of this Act is the Ottawa is a Bilingual City Act, 2004.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The City of Ottawa Act, 1999 is amended to require the City of Ottawa to have an English and French languages policy relating to the conduct of the city's administration and the providing of its municipal services to the public.