The Legislative Instruments Re-enactment Act (LIRA)

The Legislative Instruments Re-enactment Act (LIRA) requires the Minister of Justice to complete a review of the implementation and operation of section 4 of the Act by June 13, 2007 and to table a review report before both Houses of Parliament no later than June 13, 2008. The review report can be found online.

The Constitution of Canada, as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Canada, requires that legislative instruments, such as regulations and orders-in-council of a legislative nature, made by or with the approval of the Government, be made, printed and published in both official languages. This constitutional requirement was also included in the Official Languages Act in 1988. However, some doubts remained about the existence of adequate legal mechanisms to ensure that all legislative instruments made during the period of July 1, 1867 -September 15, 1988 met this constitutional requirement.

The LIRA, which took effect on June 13, 2002, addresses these concerns by providing measures to eliminate doubts as to the legal validity of legislative instruments enacted in only one official language. It provides for them to be re-enacted in both official languages. At the same time, it ensures increased accessibility to bilingual federal legislative instruments.

For a copy of the full report, please contact public enquiries at 613-957-4222 or by email at webadmin@justice.gc.ca.