OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Application for declaration pursuant to Official Languages Act, R.S.C., 1985 (4th Supp.), c. 31 (OLA), Part X language rights provided in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ss. 16, 17 violated—Parliamentary Committee refusing to distribute reference documents tendered in support of applicant’s submissions on copyright reform to members because in English only—Nature, scope of remedy provided by Part X—OLA, s. 4(1) protects right to use official language of choice in Parliament—In context of proceedings before Parliament “use” providing right to “speak”—Request to circulate documents not within parameters of right enshrined in s. 4(1)—Substance of complaint relating to Committee’s procedure—Procedures of Committee protected by parliamentary privilege—Application dismissed.
Knopf v. Canada (Speaker of the House of Commons) (T‑770‑05, 2006 FC 808, Layden‑Stevenson J., judgment dated 26/6/06, 29 pp.)