Celebrate
Official Languages
Day ...
everyday!
What is Official Languages Day?
In 2009, the former Clerk of the Privy Council, Wayne G. Wouters, declared the second Thursday in September “Linguistic Duality Day” across the Public Service of Canada. In 2022, it was renamed “Official Languages Day” by the Clerk of the Privy Council, Janice Charette. This day is an opportunity to promote our official languages and celebrate our rich linguistic heritage across the country.
The Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions has partnered with the Linguistic Duality Network to organize this event so that it can be celebrated beyond the public service throughout Canadian society.
Join us September 12 2024 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Official Languages Day: Our languages, a window to the world
Official Languages Day is a time to celebrate the vitality, richness and diversity of languages in Canadian society. Our languages are powerful tools for communication, creative expression and promoting intercultural dialogue.
Under the theme “Our Languages in Action”, this event will highlight the crucial role that our official languages play in everyday life, and the specific impacts they have had in various fields. This theme calls for the exploration and promotion of our languages in all their forms, and inspires commitment and collaboration to support and foster the cohesion of our communities in a changing world.
Participants will learn about Canadian realities and discover Canadian talent in a spirit of exchange and respect.
This event is organized by the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions, in partnership with the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and in collaboration with the Linguistic Duality Network.
Speakers:
John Hannaford
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
Isabelle Mondou
Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage, and Champion of the Official Languages Community in the Federal Public Service
Raymond Théberge
Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada
Lucie Séguin
Assistant Deputy Minister, Receiver General and Pension, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Co-President of the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions
Brigitte Gibson
Regional Director General, Prairies and Northern Region, Canadian Heritage and Co-President of the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions
Jacqueline Bogden
Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Moderator:
Rachelle Elie
Comedian, producer and host
Celebrate Official Languages Day in schools!
The Linguistic Duality Network has prepared a few different tools for you to print and use in your classrooms*.
*These were created with grades 4 – 8 in mind, but could be adapted for a wider age range.
Schools who registered in advance also received special Official Languages Day kits in the mail! Missed your chance this year? Make sure to sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know for 2024!