A review of the language laws and conventions in Canada and the province of Quebec focuses on: Canadian constitutional law concerning education and language, including the 1867 constitution, the 1960 declaration of linguistic rights, and a 1969 law on official languages; the language of government and instruction in Manitoba; language usage in the population and in official matters, and the law recognizing two linguistic communities in New Brunswick; language of instruction and government in Ontario; personal experiences with language-related policy in Quebec province since 1968; the Parti Quebecois and Law 101 establishing the primacy of French in Quebec; the 1982 modification of the Canadian constitution concerning official languages, language of instruction, and minority language use in instruction; and legislation and policy concerning language of instruction in private and public schools. One conclusion is that Canada has failed to promote and to protect its two principal languages, French and English, but that opportunities exist to do so in the future. (MSE)