An Act to amend the Languages Skills Act (Governor General)
Bill S-220 in 44-1 was a Senate Private Member's Bill amending the Languages Skills Act (S.C. 1986, c. 19) to require federally appointed Governor General candidates to be functionally bilingual in English and French. Brought after the September 2021 appointment of Mary Simon as the first Indigenous Governor General; Simon is fluent in English and Inuktitut but not yet fluent in French at appointment, drawing criticism from Quebec francophone advocacy groups. The bill would have codified federal-jurisdiction bilingualism requirements for major federal appointments (Governor General, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Auditor General, Privacy Commissioner). Did not pass third reading. Mary Simon completed advanced French training during her tenure.
Status
Quick learn
Would require future Governors General to be functionally bilingual in English and French when appointed. Brought after Mary Simon, the first Indigenous Governor General, was appointed in 2021 fluent in English and Inuktitut but not yet French. A Senate bill; it did not pass third reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Languages & Bilingualism
Requires future Governors General to be functionally bilingual in English and French.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the Senate.
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Official source
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