Recognition of Sign Language as an Official Language Act, 2007 Parsons, Ernie — Bill 213 (38th Parliament, 2nd Session)

Bill 213, 38-2

Ontario — Bills

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Bill 213, Recognition of Sign Language as an Official Language Act, 2007

Parsons, Ernie

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[38] Bill 213 Original (PDF)

Bill 213 2007

An Act to recognize sign language as

an official language in Ontario

Preamble

Sign

language is the language of the deaf community of Ontario. It is the first

language of a large number of members of Ontario's deaf community and it is

integral to the culture of the deaf community in Ontario and to its linguistic

integrity.

is appropriate for Ontario to recognize the importance of sign language and,

therefore, to extend official language status to sign language in the courts,

in education and in the Legislative Assembly. The respect that Ontario affords to sign language demonstrates Ontario's commitment to the recognition of

the fundamental human rights of the members of Ontario's deaf community and to

the recognition of the deaf community as a distinct cultural-linguistic

society.

Therefore,

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1. In

this Act,

"Commission"

means the Sign Language Commission of Ontario established under subsection 5

(1); ("Commission")

"sign language" includes American Sign Language, Langue des Signes

Quebecoise and First Nation Sign Language. ("langue des signes")

Use

of sign language

2. The

Government of Ontario shall ensure that sign language may be used in the

courts, in education and in the Legislative Assembly.

Existing

practice protected

3. This

Act shall not be construed to limit the use of sign language outside of the

application of this Act.

Limitation

of obligation

4. The

obligations of the government, of educational institutions and of the

Legislative Assembly under this Act are subject to such limits as circumstances

make reasonable and necessary, if all reasonable measures and plans for

compliance with this Act have been taken or made.

Commission

(1) There

shall be established a commission known as the Sign Language Commission of

French.

Purposes

(2) The purposes of the Commission are:

1. To

advise the Government of Ontario in all matters related to sign language.

2. To

support research into sign language.

3. To

support the development of sign language.

4. To

undertake such other activities as may be assigned to it by the Government of

Ontario.

Funding

of research

6. The

Lieutenant Governor in Council may authorize the funding of research into the

use and development of sign language out of funds appropriated for those purposes

by the Legislative Assembly.

Commencement

7. This

Act comes into force 180 days after the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

8. The

short title of this Act is the Recognition of Sign

Language as an Official Language Act, 2007 .

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill recognizes sign language as an official language in Ontario in the courts,

in education and in the Legislative Assembly.

Date Bill stage Activity Committee

April 17, 2007

First Reading

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

April 17, 2007

Committee

Second Reading

Committee

Third Reading

Royal Assent :

Coming into force :

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Document details

Collection	Ontario — Bills
Citation	Bill 213, 38-2
Type	bill
Volume / chapter	p38 s2 bill 213 html
Language	en
Format	html
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cbd10ce7c52c364ff67635edeefcbcdc723269a2

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