The Commissioner of Official Languages: language ombudsman, watchdog and advocate

This thesis will trace the development of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, emphasizing the personal contributions made by the three Commissioners, Keith Spicer, Maxwell Yalden and D'Iberville Fortier. Furthermore, we will examine any apparent trends in the practical application of our official languages policy in regards to the individual Commissioners. Since the inception of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Commissioner's role has grown beyond the judicial, executive and legislative realm. Today he is concerned with all aspects of language equality. The theoretical case of the thesis is based on the treatment of the Office and how the various Commissioners have used their functions in order to give the Office full effect. A final analysis of how each Commissioner has contributed to the evolution of the Office is presented in order to assess how they have used the powers given them in order to promote linguistic equality, tolerance and cooperation within Canadian society.