The case involves alleged violations of language rights by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) under the Official Languages Act (OLA), specifically regarding bilingual services at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
- Complaints by Thibodeau:
- Press Release Complaint (T-534-21): GTAA failed to provide a French version of a press release on its website.
- CIBC Complaint (T-2013-19): English-only signage on CIBC ATMs and advertisements at the airport.
- Booster Juice Complaint (T-2013-19): English-only signage at a Booster Juice play area.
Court's Findings:
- Press Release Complaint: GTAA violated Thibodeau’s rights by not publishing press releases in both official languages. GTAA's claim of exceptional circumstances was unsupported.
- CIBC Complaint: English-only signage violated the OLA, particularly where prescribed services (currency exchange, travel insurance) were concerned.
- Booster Juice Complaint: The signage was part of public services and required to be bilingual under the OLA.
Remedies and Outcome:
The court partially upheld Thibodeau’s claims, recognizing violations of his language rights. Michel Thibodeau was the successful party, awarded $4,500 in damages ($1,500 per violation) and $5,000 in costs, totaling $9,500.
Legal Principles:
- Interpretation of OLA: Emphasized a broad, purposive approach for effective implementation of language rights.
- Substantive Equality: Highlighted the need for equal quality in services provided in both official languages.
