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CLF for the Internet - Official Languages
All Web pages on all GoC Web sites must
incorporate navigational buttons that allow users to proceed through the site in the
language of their choice or to access identical information in the alternate official
language, except where the office providing the Web site is not designated bilingual.
(a) Language buttons on Welcome pages must be displayed in the manner indicated
to ensure visual equality and continuity. On unilingual Web sites a button is provided in
the manner indicated to give access to the first page of the content part of the site,
instead of the two language selection buttons. Refer to Appendix B of the Policy on using
the official languages on electronic networks for a formal statement of these requirements,
along with illustrations.
(b) Language navigation buttons on all Content Pages of bilingual Web sites must
be incorporated in the common menu bar. The language button must hyperlink directly to the
identical content in the alternate official language. In the case of unilingual Web sites,
there will be no alternate language button displayed in the mandatory menu bar.
Rationale
The sites of the offices of institutions subject to the Official Languages Act must
reflect the official language obligations of the offices that use the sites. The standards ensure
that these obligations are taken into account at the level of the Welcome page, which is, within the
official languages perspective, an office's electronic service "wicket".
The standard for the use of the language buttons takes into account the requirements of the
Official Languages Act,
in particular, the obligation, pursuant to section 28 the Act, for offices required to serve
the public in both official languages to make an "active offer" of those services and
communications in both official languages. The language buttons on the Welcome page fulfill this
purpose. The language button requirements for the Welcome pages of unilingual offices differ from
those for the Welcome pages of bilingual offices. For these differences, see official languages
Standard 7.2.
Example of common and institutional menu bars of bilingual Web sites.
English content page:
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| Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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| Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
French content page:
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| Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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| Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
Example of common and institutional menu bars of unilingual Web sites.
English content page:
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| Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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| Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
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Button |
French content page:
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| Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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| Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Bouton |
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Standard 7.5