Summary#
Bill 22, the Poet Laureate of Ontario Amendment Act (French-language Poet Laureate of Ontario), 2022, would amend the Poet Laureate of Ontario Act (In Memory of Gord Downie), 2019. It would provide for both an English-language and a French-language Poet Laureate of Ontario, each an officer of the Legislative Assembly. Its stated goal is to establish a French-language Poet Laureate.
- Candidates for each position would have to meet a language-specific requirement: their poetry volume, or a large portion of their body of work, must have been written in the relevant language.
- For selecting the French-language Poet Laureate, at least two selection-panel members must be able to evaluate candidates’ original French-language works.
- To meet that requirement, the Speaker and Ontario Legislative Librarian may make certain substitutions to the panel. Acting together, they may select up to two people with knowledge of French-language literary activity in Ontario to replace one or both of the panel’s members from the Ontario Arts Council.
- The bill changes references in the Act from one Poet Laureate to two, including provisions that apply to each Poet Laureate.
What it means for you#
- Poets seeking appointment: There would be separate English-language and French-language positions. The bill adds a language requirement for the poetry volume or large portion of a candidate’s body of work. It does not set out all the qualifications or the selection process.
- French-language selection panel: At least two members must be capable of evaluating candidates’ original French-language works. The Speaker, Legislative Librarian, and—in a joint decision—the Speaker and Librarian have powers to make the listed substitutions.
- Ontario residents: The bill does not directly change taxes, public services, or individual rights. It does not set out what activities either Poet Laureate must carry out; the supplied material does not include the parent Act’s duties.
- The bill would take effect on Royal Assent. The supplied material does not state whether it has received Royal Assent.
Money#
No cost information is in the available material.
- The bill does not specify an appropriation, fees, or a cost estimate.
- It gives officials powers to change the French-language selection panel’s membership as needed to meet the language-evaluation requirement, but does not say what staffing or other costs this would involve.
What is unclear#
- The Poet Laureate of Ontario Act (In Memory of Gord Downie), 2019 was not supplied, so the current appointment process, other qualifications, terms, and duties of the Poet Laureate could not be verified.
- The bill does not define “a large portion” of a candidate’s body of work.
- It does not explain how the panel will decide whether members can evaluate original French-language works.
- It does not set out the timing or process for appointing the two Poet Laureates, or how the French-language role would interact with existing arrangements.
- It does not specify funding or resources for the two positions.
Case for#
- The bill appears intended to provide distinct recognition for poetry written in English and French.
- Requiring French-language selection-panel members who can assess original French work could help ensure candidates are evaluated in that language.
- Allowing the Speaker and Legislative Librarian to adjust panel membership gives them a way to meet that requirement if the existing panel cannot.
Case against#
- The bill does not define how much work counts as “a large portion,” which could leave room for different interpretations when assessing candidates.
- It does not explain how panel members’ ability to evaluate original French-language work will be judged.
- Creating two positions and changing selection-panel arrangements may require resources, but the bill gives no cost or staffing details.