Prime Minister Mark Carney Appoints Kelly A. Burke as Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the appointment of Kelly A. Burke as Canada’s next Commissioner of Official Languages, following approval by both the House of Commons and the Senate. Her appointment will take effect on March 30, 2026.

Burke brings more than 20 years of experience in public service, governance and higher education. A legal expert and senior administrator, she has served in several high-level roles within the Ontario Public Service. Her past positions include Deputy Ombudsman and Commissioner of French Language Services, as well as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Administrative Officer in Ontario’s Ministry of Francophone Affairs.

Mandate and Responsibilities

As Commissioner of Official Languages, Burke will oversee the promotion and protection of Canada’s two official languages — English and French — across federal institutions and organizations governed by the Official Languages Act.

The role includes ensuring equality between English and French within federal departments and agencies, as well as supporting the vitality and development of official language minority communities across the country. The Commissioner also monitors compliance with language obligations and investigates complaints related to federal services and language rights.

Prime Minister Carney emphasized that bilingualism remains central to Canadian identity and governance. He stated that Burke’s background in legal and administrative leadership makes her well-positioned to uphold and strengthen Canada’s commitment to linguistic duality.

Acknowledging Outgoing Commissioner

The Prime Minister also thanked Raymond Théberge, who served as Commissioner of Official Languages from 2018 to 2026, for his leadership and contributions to advancing language rights in Canada. Théberge’s tenure focused on modernizing language protections and supporting minority-language communities nationwide.

Strengthening Canada’s Linguistic Identity

The appointment comes at a time when discussions around language rights, service delivery and federal compliance remain prominent in Canadian public policy. Officials say maintaining strong oversight through the Commissioner’s office is key to ensuring equal access to government services in both official languages.

With her term set to begin at the end of March, Burke is expected to play a central role in guiding Canada’s ongoing efforts to protect and promote bilingualism at the federal level.