Bill 140, City of Ottawa Amendment Act (Bilingualism), 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the City of Ottawa Act, 1999. It recognizes Ottawa's bilingual character. It requires Ottawa to make a by-law for bilingual administration and services. It clarifies that an existing Ottawa by-law respecting bilingualism is such a by-law.

Bill 140 2017

An Act to amend the City of Ottawa Act, 1999 in respect of bilingualism

Preamble

The City of Ottawa is the capital of Canada, a bilingual country that has English and French as its two official languages.

The City of Ottawa has a by-law that recognizes its bilingual character and has adopted a languages policy to provide services in the two official languages and recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1 Section 11.1 of the City of Ottawa Act, 1999 is repealed and the following substituted:

Bilingualism

Bilingualism

11.1 (1)  The city's bilingual character is recognized.

By-law respecting use of English and French languages

(2)  The city shall pass a by-law under subsection 14 (1) of the French Language Services Act.

Same, board of health

(3)  The by-law applies with respect to the administration of the board of health and the provision of services by the board.

Scope and content of by-law

(4)  The scope and content of the by-law shall be as determined by the city.

Existing by-law

(5)  For greater certainty, City of Ottawa By-law No. 2001-170 (Bilingualism) meets the requirement of subsection (2).

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the City of Ottawa Amendment Act (Bilingualism), 2017.