SoVote

Bill C-238

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

September 28, 2022

Bill C-238 is an Act that aims to ensure consistency between federal laws and the Charter of the French Language in Quebec. It specifically amends the Canada Labour Code, the Official Languages Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act, and the Citizenship Act. The amendments to the Canada Labour Code clarify that any federal work, undertaking, or business operating in Quebec must adhere to the requirements of the Charter of the French Language. The amendments to the Official Languages Act recognize that French is the official language of Quebec and the common language in the province. They also outline the duty of federal institutions to take positive measures for the implementation of the Charter of the French Language in Quebec. The amendments to the Canada Business Corporations Act state that the name of a corporation carrying on business in Quebec must meet the requirements of the Charter of the French Language. Lastly, the

A steelman argument in favor of Bill C-238 is that this legislation recognizes and respects the official language status of French in Quebec, aligning federal laws with the Charter of the French Language. By ensuring that federal institutions and businesses operating in Quebec comply with the requirements of the Charter, the bill promotes linguistic and cultural diversity, safeguards the French language, and supports the rights of Francophone communities. This legislation also addresses the importance of language proficiency in obtaining Canadian citizenship, recognizing the significance of French language skills for permanent residents residing in Quebec. Overall, Bill C-238 seeks to protect and enhance the linguistic heritage of Quebec, fostering inclusivity and promoting the vitality of French in the province.

Steelman Argument Opposing Bill C-238: Bill C-238, which aims to ensure consistency with the Charter of the French Language in Quebec, may have unintended consequences that undermine the principles of inclusivity and freedom of choice. While it is important to recognize and respect the French language as the official language in Quebec, this bill may unintentionally create barriers for individuals and businesses. By imposing requirements related to language proficiency, such as the requirement for permanent residents in Quebec to have an adequate knowledge of French in order to obtain citizenship, the bill may disadvantage individuals who may have other valuable contributions to make to Canadian society, but may not have the same level of proficiency in French. Furthermore, this bill may contradict the principles of linguistic diversity and individual rights by prioritizing one language over others. It is crucial to strike a balance be