NCJ Number
59460
Date Published
1974
Length
23 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET GIVES THE TEXTS OF THE TWO RECENT ACTS OF THE ONTARIO LEGISLATURE WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE EXPANSION OF FRENCH LANGUAGE COURT SERVICES IN THIS CANADIAN PROVINCE.
Abstract
THE AMENDMENT TO THE JUDICATURE ACT OF 1970 PROVIDES FOR THE OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF COURTS, COUNTIES, AND DISTRICTS IN ONTARIO IN WHICH FRENCH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS MAY ELECT TO TESTIFY IN FRENCH AND TO HAVE THEIR EVIDENCE DIRECTLY RECEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE COURT WITHOUT IT BEING RELAYED THROUGH AN INTERPRETER. THE OTHER NEW LAW IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE JURIES ACT TO ENABLE THE SELECTION OF BILINGUAL JURORS IN CASES BEING HEARD IN THE HIGHER COURTS BY A JUDGE AND JURY. BOTH WERE LANDMARK MEASURES. ONTARIO IS NOW ABLE TO PROVIDE COURT SERVICES IN FRENCH TO 66 PERCENT OF ITS CITIZENS WHO SPEAK FRENCH ONLY. THE TEXTS OF THE TWO BILLS ARE PRESENTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THE BOOKLET IS BILINGUAL WITH BOTH TEXT AND LAWS GIVEN IN ENGLISH AND IN FRENCH. (MJW)