Commissioner of Official Languages
COL
Summary
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The Commissioner of Official Languages is an Officer of Parliament appointed by the Governor in Council after approval by resolution of both the Senate and the House of Commons, for a single non-renewable 7-year term. The Commissioner promotes and protects English and French language rights throughout federal institutions and investigates complaints under the Official Languages Act. The Commissioner has full access to records and the power to compel testimony during investigations. Annual and special reports are tabled in Parliament.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 7 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Official Languages Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.)
- Citation
- R.S.C., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Federal institutions subject to the Official Languages Act; investigates complaints about language rights violations