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MEDIA ADVISORY: Final lecture — 50th anniversary of commission on bilingualism and biculturalism
OTTAWA, June 14, 2013 — The University of Ottawa and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages are hosting the closing lecture of the public events series marking the 50th anniversary of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.
Keith Spicer, Canada’s first commissioner of official languages, will deliver the final lecture of the series, entitled “The Bilingualism and Biculturalism Commission 50 Years Later: From Turbulent Beginnings to an Enduring Legacy?” The chancellor of the University of Ottawa, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, will also deliver an address.
WHEN: Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Desmarais Building, Room 4101, University of Ottawa (55 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa | map)*
Pre-registration is required for those who wish to attend the event live.
*This lecture will be webcast. Questions and comments for the question period that will follow may be emailed to continue@uOttawa.ca.
This event will close the lecture series that has taken place in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal and Moncton since February, highlighting the commission’s social, political, educational and cultural impact on Canada.
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:
Néomie Duval
International Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
Office: 613-562-5800 (2981)
Cell: 613-863-7221
neomie.duval@uOttawa.ca
