Memorandum on access to justice in French in Alberta
[Français]
The French speaking lawyers Association of Alberta (AJEFA) have prepared a Memorandum on the legal and judicial status of the French language in Alberta. Given that the French speaking community within Alberta includes over 65,000 individuals and is growing, there is an increasing need for legal and judicial services in French within Alberta. The Memorandum provides a summary of the French Community Profile. It also refers to numerous initiatives put in place within Alberta that recognize the importance and status of the French language such as the Francophone Secretariat and the Canada-Alberta Agreement of French Languages Services (to be renewed in 2009). While there is some capacity within the Alberta judicial system to offer French language services, much needs to be done to provide legitimate and meaningful access to justice in French. For this reason, the AJEFA recommends that the Minister establish a working group to concentrate on ways the Alberta judicial system could be changed to provide access to justice in French. The working group would be comprised of at least 7 members including a member from each judicial level, a jurist from another common law province and at least 2 jurists recommended by AJEFA.
AJEFA also recommends that Alberta Justice establish a French Services Coordination Office to coordinate and manage French language services within the justice system. Lastly, AJEFA recommends that some provincial legislation be amended to take into account that French is a statutory language which can be used in Alberta Courts.
Full text of the Memorandum on access to justice in French in Alberta
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Categories : Justice
Last Update : 2009-10-04
