Legislating Language Use in Alberta: A Century of Incidental Provisions for a Fundamental Matter

Abstract

Language law deals with a matter of fundamental importance, and language rights haw been wide recognized as fundamental human rights. Yet very little is known about Alberta's legislative provisions for language use. This article examines those provisions that have had the greatest impact over the past century and places them in their historical context. It also presents a comprehensive overview of the many unheralded provisions and organizes them according to their thematic significance. During Alberta's early decades these language provisions commonly imposed English and repressed minority languages. In more recent years they have promoted a greater tolerance for French and other languages.