Language policy in Alberta

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Language policy in the Canadian province of Alberta is defined by official monolingualism, certain services provided in French, sign language, indigenous languages and certain languages of immigrant communities.

Contents

Official monolingualism

The Alberta Act required that the province respect the Northwest Territories Act and required that English and French would both have official status in the legislature, before the courts, and in official government documents. [1] Alberta did not repeal this legislation. [2] R v Mercure was a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada which clarified that language rights had an almost constitutional status. [1] This was repealed by the Language Act. [1] The Language Act continued to allow the use of French in the legislature. [1]

French language

Trials in Alberta can be provided in the French language. [3]

Indigenous languages

In 2024, the University of Alberta provided a guide to revitalize indigenous languages. [4]

The city of Lethbridge declared the Blackfoot word "oki" to be the official greeting of the municipality. [5]

Sign language

The lack of availability of sign language interpretation led to a deaf man's sex charges being stayed by a judge. [6]

Languages of immigrant communities

In 1974, a bilingual Ukrainian language program was established in Alberta. [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Savoie, Donald J.; Relations, Queen's University (Kingston, Ont) Institute of Intergovernmental (1991). The Politics of Language. Queen's University, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations. ISBN   978-0-88911-586-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Fraiberg, Armand L. C.; de Mestral, William. "Language Guarantees and the Power to Amend the Canadian Constitution". McGill Law Journal. 12 (4).
  3. ↑ Derworiz, Colette (January 14, 2024). "French-language trial to be held in Calgary, not 'particularly common' in Alberta". The Winnipeg Free Press . Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kucey, Jaclyn (April 15, 2024). "Alberta resource guides learners towards Indigenous language revitalization". Global News . Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Markusoff, Jason (October 25, 2019). "Lethbridge says 'oki' to everyone who visits". Maclean's. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sousa, Aaron (January 16, 2025). "Lack of interpreter leads Alberta judge to throw deaf man's sex charges out of court". CBC News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ Sterzuk, Andrea (May 29, 2022). "Ukrainian language schools in Western Canada were shaped by shifting settler colonial policies". The Conversation. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
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