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MEDIA ADVISORY: Inaugural lecture in series on fiftieth anniversary of commission on bilingualism and biculturalism
OTTAWA, February 1, 2013 — The University of Ottawa and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages are launching a lecture series to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. The lectures will highlight the commission’s social, political, educational and cultural impact on Canada. They will take place between February and June, in Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Moncton.
Graham Fraser, commissioner of official languages of Canada, will present the inaugural lecture in the series, entitled “Fifty Years Later: The Legacy of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.” Allan Rock, president of the University of Ottawa, will speak as well.
WHAT: Inaugural lecture in a series on the fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
WHEN: Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Desmarais Building, Room 4101, University of Ottawa (55 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa | Map)*
* This lecture will be webcast at http://www.distance.uottawa.ca/direct1.htm. Questions and comments for the question period that will follow may be emailed to continue@uOttawa.ca.
About the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
In 1963, the Pearson government convened the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, also known as the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission. The commission published its final report and recommendations in 1969. Under the joint chairmanship of André Laurendeau, editor of Le Devoir, and Davidson Dunton, president of Carleton University, the commission’s mandate was to investigate and report on the state of bilingualism and biculturalism, and to recommend measures so that Confederation could develop based on the principle of equality between the two founding peoples. The recommendations were also supposed to take into account the contribution of other ethnic groups to the enrichment of Canada’s culture and include measures to safeguard this contribution. The commission’s recommendations changed the Canadian cultural landscape and brought major change to language policy and human rights.
INFORMATION
Karine Proulx
Media Relations Officer, University of Ottawa
Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 3149
Cell: 613-219-3058
karine.proulx@uOttawa.ca
