Canadian Centre for Studies and Research on Bilingualism and Language Planning (CCERBAL)

Our research centre allows OLBI and the University of Ottawa to assert their roles as catalysts for the growth of bilingualism in Canada. Specifically, the CCERBAL strives to be a national and international hub for the study and design of public policy on bilingualism and linguistic duality.

The Centre, which gathers internationally recognized researchers focused on OLBI's specialty areas, is establishing itself as a prime consultant for those dealing with issues related to language planning and social cohesion. Its services are open to the Canadian and international university communities, to all levels of government and to public and paragovernmental agencies with bilingualism and official language responsibilities.

By attracting top researchers from here and elsewhere and by building a first-rate research infrastructure, the CCERBAL aims to promote interdisciplinarity and international exchanges and discussions. The Centre also plans to set up research chairs in a number of areas such as society and bilingualism, new technologies used in language instruction, evaluation of language skills and language policies. On the strength of these initiatives, both OLBI and the CCERBAL will become essential sources of expertise in bilingualism and language planning.

On behalf of the entire OLBI team, let me take this opportunity to thank my colleague Aline Germain-Rutherford for her two years of excellent service as Director of CCERBAL. It is on the foundations of what she built and consolidated that I will be succeeding her as of July 1, 2011.

Marie-Josée Hamel
Director, CCERBAL