Fines for Language Service Failures in Transport

Summary#

These are proposed Official Languages Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations under the Official Languages Act (published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on March 7, 2026). They would let the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages impose fines on certain transportation companies and airport authorities when they fail to meet bilingual service rules for the travelling public.

What it does#

• Names who can be fined: Air Canada, VIA Rail Canada Inc., Marine Atlantic Inc., and designated airport authorities (the rules refer to the 21 authorities transferred under the Airport Transfer (Miscellaneous Matters) Act).
• Says the fines cover breaches of Part IV of the Official Languages Act (the rules about communications with and services to the public).
• Groups violations into three types and sets penalty ranges:
  • Type A (services provided under contract): up to $25,000 (note: penalties for Type A won’t be applied until one year after the regulations come into force).
  • Type B (other Part IV breaches): up to $50,000.
  • Type C (violations involving health, safety or security): $5,000–$50,000.
• Lists factors the Commissioner must consider when picking a penalty amount (for example: whether the problem was repeated, how many people were affected, efforts to fix the problem, and whether the entity has fewer than 100 employees).
• Sets what must appear in a notice of violation (dates, evidence, how the fine was calculated, and payment methods).
• Describes how notices must be served (in person, by registered mail/courier, or by electronic means with a back-up registered mail/courier copy).
• Allows entities 30 business days to challenge a penalty in Federal Court.
• Requires a formal review of the regulations every 10 years.

Who's affected#

• The main targets are the named transportation firms and the designated airport authorities listed above. The rules apply only to entities that operate in the transportation sector and already have duties under Part IV of the Official Languages Act.
• Travellers in Canada could notice changes if these rules lead to more consistent bilingual service at airports, on trains, ferries, or related service points.
• It is unclear from the notice whether some other federal bodies that people expected to be included (for example, certain port authorities or border services) are covered; the text specifically notes the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority was included in consultation materials but AMPs will not apply to it.

Why it matters#

• This proposal gives the Commissioner a financial penalty as a new enforcement tool aimed at improving bilingual services for the travelling public. That could make services in English and French more reliable where demand exists.
• For the named companies and airport authorities it raises the risk of fines if they repeatedly fail to provide services in both official languages. Penalties are intended to be a last resort after other compliance steps.
• The government estimates implementation costs to the Commissioner’s office of about $2.7 million over 10 years to set up systems, training and communications.
• These are proposed regulations, not yet law. Interested people and organizations can send comments within 30 days of the Gazette publication while both Houses of Parliament are sitting.