Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
In Canada, health and language are both areas of shared jurisdiction. People have high expectations that the federal government will take on a leadership role in protecting the language rights of the Canadian population when it comes to health care. In a context where the various levels of government are working to build a stronger Canada, every Canadian should be able to receive health services in the official language of their choice.
In this report, the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages outlines the findings resulting from a series of public hearings held over 18 months on the theme of access to health care services in the minority language. In total, 121 witnesses and 36 written submissions led the Senate Committee to make 14 recommendations. The recommendations focus on reducing language barriers in health care.
This report is directed at various federal ministers and partners in an effort to ensure equitable, safe and quality care. It advocates for the right of health system users to receive services in a language they understand and in which they would like to be understood. Accordingly, this approach would lead to improved health outcomes.
