Under the minority language education provisions, which groups have the right to have their children receive instruction in the minority language in the province?

• A. Citizens whose first language learned is the minority language
• B. Citizens who have received primary school instruction in that language and live in a province where that language is the minority
• C. Both of the above
• D. Neither of the above

Answer: (C)

The concept at work is the two-track structure of minority language education rights in the Charter. There are two routes that give parents the right to have their children educated in the minority language in a province.

First, citizens whose first language learned and still understood is the minority language are entitled to instruction in that language for their children, subject to there being a viable program (enough students) in the province.

Second, citizens who have received primary school instruction in that language and who live in a province where that language is the minority also have the right to have their children educated in that language, again depending on the existence of a suitable program.

Since both conditions can grant the right, both groups are covered. That’s why the correct choice reflects both categories.