Inspired by over 40 years of continuous effort by the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), the objective of Canadian Language Advocacy Day (LAD) is to build an informal coalition of language rights advocates, individuals and organizations who will participate in an informational, virtual advocacy day at Queen's Park on February 4th, 2021. The long-term objective is to establish an ongoing language policy forum and explore the role of language within the context of social justice, education and economic recovery.

We are also very proud to announce our keynote speaker, Min Sook Lee, a critically-acclaimed feature documentaries maker, a recipient of numerous awards, including the Cesar E. Chavez Black Eagle Award, and the Alanis Obomsawin Award for Commitment to Community and Resistance. Canada’s oldest labour arts festival, Mayworks, has named the Min Sook Lee Labour Arts Award in her honour. Lee is an Associate Professor at OCAD University, with an area of research and practices focusing on the critical intersections of art+social change in labour, border politics, migration and social justice movements.

Our virtual day of action of advocacy for languages includes:

1. Meetings with Ontario MPPs;
2. Canadian LANGUAGE RIGHTS CONFERENCE, including panel discussions on: Reflections on the Indigenous Languages Act, Pandemic Communication and Language Gaps and Language Rights Advocates Town Hall;
3. The LANGUAGE RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL , a curated schedule of short and long National Film Board documentaries, videos and TedTalks exploring language inter-sectionality, and
4. Two breakout "idea market place" rooms for those interested in networking and/or collaboration opportunities to meet and discuss language-related projects (complete agenda here).

Hope you will be able to join us!