Historica Canada Education Portal

This guide is an introduction to the Official Languages Act and the history of language policy in Canada. The 50th anniversary of Canada’s Official Languages Act (OLA) represents an opportunity to learn about the history that led to the Act, and its subsequent legacy.

The guide focuses  primarily on the Act itself, the factors that led to its  creation, and its impact and legacy. It touches on key moments in the history of linguistic policy in Canada, though teachers may wish to address topics in greater detail to provide a deeper understanding of the complex nature of language relations. The complicated nature of recorded history and curricular requirements do not allow us to tell everyone’s stories, and we hope that teachers will share other perspectives, experiences, and stories.