Official Languages
CBC/Radio-Canada is one of Canada’s largest cultural institutions and we are the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.
Our Official Languages Responsibilities
Programming Activities
CBC/Radio-Canada’s programming activities fall under the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Act that contains a number of provisions relative to the treatment of Official Language communities. The Broadcasting Act states as policy that:
"the Canadian broadcasting system, operating primarily in the English and French languages and comprising public, private and community elements, makes use of radio frequencies that are public property and provides, through its programming, a public service essential to the maintenance and enhancement of national identity and cultural sovereignty";
and that
"English and French language broadcasting, while sharing common aspects, operate under different conditions and may have different requirements";
It requires programming of CBC/Radio-Canada to:
- actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression,
- be in English and in French, reflecting the different needs and circumstances of each official language community, including the particular needs and circumstances of English and French linguistic minorities,
- strive to be of equivalent quality in English and in French,
- contribute to shared national consciousness and identity,
- reflect the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada
- to have separate standing committee of the Board of Directors on English and French broadcasting and in planning extensions of broadcasting services, to have regard to the principles and purposes of the Official Languages Act.
Read more about our responsibilities under the Broadcasting Act
Non-Programming Activities and Outreach
CBC/Radio-Canada is subject to the Official Languages Act with respect to its non-programming activities.
Official Languages Act
Part VII (or section 41 et al.) of the Official Languages Act calls for the federal government and its institutions to commit to "enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society." Each year CBC/Radio-Canada tables with the department of Canadian Heritage, which is responsible for coordinating the efforts of all federal institutions involved, an Action Plan together with a Summary of the achievements of the previous year.
- 2008-2009 Status Report
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- 2009-2010 Action Plan
