The federal government is reintroducing a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act.
The last major reforms occurred in 1988.
Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says there will also be a priority to work with indigenous communities to preserve and protect their languages.
“The modernized legislation will therefore explicitly state that it must not affect the strengthening, revitalization and reappropriation of indigenous languages.”
Petitpas Taylor says measures will also be strengthened to support official language minorities.
“I want to reassure English speaking Quebecers, these efforts will not be at your expense. We will always continue to support the vitality of English speaking minorities in Quebec.”
She also says changes to the Act will address the decline of French in Canada.
A recent government-commissioned poll showed most Canadians support the Official Languages Act and bilingualism.
The bill was tabled last June but was never debated due to the election call.
