Language Policy

In case of any discrepancy between the web page and PDF versions of this document, the PDF version in English prevails.

Revised and approved by the Vanier College Board of Governors: May 20, 2025 ; October 1, 2024; May 23, 2023; 2016

Approved by the Vanier College Board of Directors : October 1, 2024

PREAMBLE

The Charter of the French Language (CQLR, c. C-11) (the “Charter”) states the following (article 88.1):

“Every institution that provides college instruction […] must adopt a policy applicable to college-level instruction regarding the use and quality of the French language that promotes respect for the fundamental language rights conferred by this Act and the institution’s contribution to the achievement of the objectives of this Act. […]”

The Charter further prescribes specific requirements that apply to English language colleges (articles 88.3 & 88.2); this includes, notably, the command of the French language required of students, the language used by the institution in some of its written communications, the teaching of French as a second language, the services provided in the official language, priority admission measures for certain students in certain situations, policy implementation, etc.

As used herein, the expression “certificate holders” shall mean those eligible to receive instruction in English in Québec who have received a certificate or eligibility from the government; and “non certificate holders” shall mean those who do not meet these criteria.

ARTICLE 1 – TEACHING FRENCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

1.01

As a college in the province of Québec, mindful of its responsibility to contribute to the intellectual, economic and social development of our society, Vanier College recognizes the importance for its students to learn French. Vanier’s intent is to support student success and prepare students to fully participate and contribute to Québec society and to the world.

1.02

All students will be required to successfully complete college-level courses in French as part of their DEC program.

1.02.01

Certificate holders admitted to the Fall 2024 semester or later will have to complete two French as a second language courses as well as either three program courses in French or three French language courses. Exceptions will be found in Appendix A in line with ministerial regulations.

1.02.02

Non certificate holders admitted to the Fall 2023 semester or later will be required to successfully complete three French literature courses designed to adequately prepare students to pass the Épreuve uniforme de français (“EUF”). Additionally, students admitted to the Fall 2024 semester or later will be required to take two program courses given in French, in line with ministerial regulations.

1.03

All students are required to pass a language exit exam to receive their diploma. For students admitted as of Fall 2023, certificate holders will pass the English Exit Exam (“EEE”) and non certificate holders will pass the Épreuve uniforme de français (“EUF”).

1.04

Students who arrive at Vanier without adequate preparation to achieve the exit standard may be required to take additional college-level language courses such as cours de mise à niveau or cours de renforcement.

1.05

In order to ensure students acquire program specific terminology in French, all students will either:

  • Complete a program specific course offered in French;
  • Complete a program specific French language course (Block B);
  • Complete a program specific internship in French;
  • Have access to program specific terminology documents through Omnivox or the Learning Commons.

1.06

Students enrolled in an Attestation of College Studies program are required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French to fully participate in Québec society. Requirements will be detailed in Appendix B once colleges receive the relevant directives from the Ministry.

ARTICLE 2 – LANGUAGE OF COMMUNICATIONS

2.01

Official written correspondence with the civil administration of Québec, with legal persons and businesses established in Québec will normally be in French, however this correspondence may be accompanied by documentation (bylaws, policies, reports, appendices, etc.) that, by the nature of its development, adoption, presentation and conservation, exists in English only.

2.02

Official written correspondence with legal persons established in Québec that, by their nature retain a special or bilingual status under the preamble or any article of the Charter of the French Language, may be in English; without limitation, this includes official written correspondence with other English language institutions.

2.03

Notwithstanding 2.01 above, official written correspondence received in English from a member of the civil administration of Québec or from legal persons established in Québec may be responded to by the College in English.

2.04

As a designated English language college, the language of work and instruction is primarily English. Certain services are available in French, namely French language resources, student tutoring for French classes, and upon request, human resources for employees, registrar services for students and all frontline services when resources permit.

ARTICLE 3 – PRIORITY ADMISSION

3.01

As of Winter 2024, measures to give priority to admitting certificate holders are applied for all programs where the number of admission applications is higher than the number of students that may be admitted (art. 88.2 of the Charter). These measures are as follows:

  • The majority of admission offers in Round 1 are given to certificate holders that fulfill all admission requirements for said programs in which the number of admission applications is higher that the number of spaces available.
  • In subsequent rounds, all qualified certificate holders are admitted before non certificate holders, space permitting, for said programs in which the number of admission applications is higher than the number of spaces available.

3.02

Vanier College is committed to increasing access to post secondary education for Indigenous students. This commitment includes ensuring Indigenous applicants that fulfill admission requirements are offered admission in a program.

ARTICLE 4 – COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

4.01

An individual who has a complaint in connection with the application of this policy or the Charter at the College may file a complaint to request that the situation be rectified.

4.02

The complaint must be in writing and include a detailed description of the situation giving rise to the complaint, the date or period of time when the situation occurred and the specific provisions with which the College did not comply.

4.03

The complaint must be addressed to the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs. If the complaint involves the conduct of the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, it shall be addressed to the Director General.

4.04

The Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs or the Director General, as the case may be, is responsible for processing the complaint within thirty (30) days of receipt; if the processing of the complaint is not possible within the said delay, the complainant shall be informed of the new applicable delay as soon as possible. If the complaint is found to be justified, the College shall take the necessary measures to correct the situation as soon as possible. The Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs or the Director General, as the case may be, shall inform the complainant of the conclusion of the handling of the complaint.

ARTICLE 5 – RESPONSIBILITY ARISING FROM THIS POLICY, REPORTING AND REVIEW

5.01

The Director General is responsible for the application of this Policy; including ensuring its dissemination among staff members and students and publication on its website.

5.02

This Policy applies to all Vanier College employees, to any other member of the College community when specified, to all Vanier faculties, departments and campuses, and in-person and online courses.

5.03

Every three (3) years, the Director General shall present a report on the application of this Policy to Academic Council for consultation and recommendation prior to being presented to the Board of Directors for adoption. This report shall include how each policy requirement has been applied and any complaints received during the period covered by the report. Once adopted by the Board of Directors, the report shall be sent to the Ministère de la langue française.

5.04

This Policy is to be reviewed every ten (10) years. The review shall be conducted by a committee (“the review committee”) reporting to the Director General and composed of the following members:

  • The Director of Communication and Corporate Affairs (Committee chair)
  • The Academic Dean
  • The Dean of Academic Systems/Registrar
  • Three faculty members:
    • One from a career program
    • One from a preuniversity program
    • One from a general education department
  • A member of the professionals’ union
  • A member of the support staff union
  • A student

5.05

The Committee is responsible for the consultation of employees and students with regard to drafting, evaluating and revising this Policy.

The means of consultation can take various forms, including surveys, focus groups and a dedicated email address for comments.

Employees and student will have the opportunity to comment any future drafts of the Policy and revisions.

Academic Council will be consulted for a recommendation to the Board of Directors on any aspects of the Policy that fall within its mandate.

5.06

This Policy replaces all previous versions of the Vanier College Policy on French Language and comes into force upon adoption by the Vanier College Board of Directors.