In response to the notice received on December 12, 2022 from the Office québécois de la langue française indicating that the City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux would no longer meet the condition required by section 29.1 of the Charter of the French Language (R.R.Q., c. C-11), City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to maintain the City’s bilingual status at the council on January 17, 2023.

Since the adoption of the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec (also known as Bill 96), a number of municipalities and cities in Quebec have been granted exceptional status to preserve their bilingualism. This constitutes a fundamental value of the City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in all aspects of municipal life. The members of council are committed to ensuring the continuity of services to the population in both French and English.

“I am proud to lead a council that recognizes and celebrates the richness of having a bilingual and multilingual community. This process will allow Dollard-des-Ormeaux to maintain its bilingual status and continue to serve its residents in both official languages. It saddens me that this legal process must be invoked to protect the inherent right of our residents to receive communications in the language of their choice”, said Mayor Bottausci in response to the government’s request.

Since Dollard-des-Ormeaux was officially declared bilingual in April 1978, the City has offered its services to residents in both French and English. Bilingual status gives the right to post and communicate with residents in both official languages, allowing them barrier-free access to City services.