Canada's official languages watchdog has issued a stark warning that federal budget cuts could significantly impact the public service's ability to function in both English and French, potentially eroding language rights that are fundamental to Canadian identity.
Commissioner sounds alarm on language rights
In a new report, Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge emphasized that the federal government must maintain heightened vigilance to ensure that budget reductions don't disproportionately affect official languages. The commissioner's warning comes as the Liberal government's 2025 budget includes measures to limit spending on discretionary travel and training.
"With regard to the impending budget cuts, we know from experience that increased vigilance is appropriate to avoid disproportionate impacts on official languages," Théberge stated in his report released in November 2025.
Historical patterns raise concerns
The commissioner expressed particular concern about language training programs, which have often been among the first casualties during previous budget reduction exercises. "Unfortunately, experience has shown all too often that in this type of situation, official languages obligations are seen as superfluous in federal institutions and end up being the subject of budget cuts," Théberge wrote in an annual report earlier this year.
Théberge specifically urged all deputy heads to carefully consider their organizations' language obligations and rights during any budget reduction activities within the federal public service. He stressed that the public service's capacity to serve Canadians in both official languages "must not be allowed to erode" despite fiscal constraints.
Broader implications for official languages plan
The commissioner's report also presented an assessment of the ongoing Action Plan for Official Languages (2023-2028), which encompasses the federal government's comprehensive commitments to supporting minority language communities. Théberge warned that if official languages programs suffer disproportionate cuts, "that would undermine the considerable progress the Action Plan has made possible."
Key programs within the action plan that could be affected include:
- Francophone immigration initiatives to English-majority provinces
- Healthcare training measures for bilingual professionals
- Various minority language support programs
In the healthcare sector, Théberge noted that existing shortages of bilingual staff "are likely to get worse" without adequate support, prompting his recommendation for Health Canada to continue promoting training measures for bilingual health professionals despite budget pressures.
The commissioner also called on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to maintain its commitment to integrating a Francophone lens throughout its policy and program development, even during government restructuring, budget reductions, and lower immigration levels.
As federal institutions begin implementing budget cuts, the official languages watchdog's warning serves as a critical reminder that language rights remain a cornerstone of Canadian public service delivery that must be protected during fiscal constraint periods.
