Federal report says no need for legislation to regulate language of work

OTTAWA – There is no need for legislation to address the language of work in federally regulated private businesses in Quebec, a committee of three deputy ministers has concluded.

”The study shows that the internal practices of federally regulated businesses are already very similar to those seen in provincially regulated businesses,” Industry Minister Christian Paradis said Friday.

The deputy ministers looked at companies not subject to the Official Languages Act.

The study showed that many federally regulated private businesses have voluntarily obtained a francization certificate from Quebec’s language agency, said Paradis, who is also the federal minister responsible for Quebec.

These businesses employ about half of all workers in federally regulated businesses that are not subject to the Official Languages Act.

Paradis said promoting the French language requires a great deal of vigilance.