Rescinded [2020-11-02] - TBITS 05 : Canadian Government Keyboard Standard for Information Technology Equipment - Implementation Criteria

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1. Reference

1.1 Name

  • Canadian government keyboard standard for information technology equipment

1.2 Identifier

  • TBITS-5

1.3 Category

  • Standard

1.4 Effective date

  • January 1, 1993

1.5 Approving authority

  • Treasury Board of Canada

1.6 Maintenance agency

  • Information Technology Management
  • Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS)

1.7 Cross index

  • CAN/CSA-Z243.200-91, Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages ISO 9995-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, Information processing C Keyboard layouts for text and office systems (1991 DIS, various part names)

1.8 Related documents

  • TBITS-3, Coded character set for information processing and interchange CAN/CSA-Z243.4-87, 7-bit and 8-bit Coded Character Sets for Information Processing and Interchange
  • Official Languages Act, R.S. 1985, c. O-3.01

2. Purpose

  • The purpose of this standard is to accommodate the needs of all keyboard users in the Canadian federal government and to support the Official Languages Act and related policies.

3. Application

This standard applies to the acquisition of computer-based keyboards for general office use in regularly and widely used automated systems within departments and agencies of the Canadian government. Without restricting its general application, it particularly applies to keyboards that are primarily used for word processing, whether standalone or not.

4. Interpretation

In this standard, CSA Standard means CAN/CSA-Z243.200-91, Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages; group has the same meaning as in the CSA Standard; layout means the assignment of the graphic characters in a group to levels on graphic keys; level has the same meaning as in the CSA Standard; primary keyboard layout has the same meaning as in ISO 9995-1; secondary keyboard layout has the same meaning as in ISO 9995-1; and unaccented primary keyboard layout means a primary keyboard layout that does not contain any accented characters.

In this standard, any reference to all or part of a national or international standard shall be construed as a reference to the most recent finalized version of that standard, with the following two exceptions:

  1. until ISO 9995 or any of its parts is finalized, any reference to it or to a part of it shall be construed as a reference to the most recent Draft International Standard (DIS) version thereof; and
  2. where reference is made to a specific part, clause or other portion or conformance level of a standard, it shall be construed as a reference to the substantive replacement thereof in any version of the standard issued after January 1, 1992.

Any change to a referenced national or international standard that affects this standard shall not be required to be implemented before six months after the effective date of the change.

5. Implementation

This standard adopts CAN/CSA-Z243.200-91, Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages, with the clarifications and additional details specified in Appendix A of this standard.

This standard also provides for the continued use of unaccented primary keyboard layouts in specified cases in conjunction with a secondary keyboard layout that, together with the unaccented primary keyboard layout, provides access to all characters commonly used in English and French.

5.1 Required conformance

5.1.1 Keyboard acquired for use in the National Capital Region, the province of Quebec, or a place prescribed under Part V of the Official Languages Act (bilingual region), shall conform to the following specifications:

  1. CAN/CSA-Z234.200-91, Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages, Conformance Level A (see Figure 3 of the CSA standard); and
  2. ISO 9995-7, Information processing B Keyboard layouts for text and office systems B Symbols used on keyboard to represent functions; and
  3. Appendix A of this standard.

5.1.2 In all other cases, a keyboard shall conform to either:

  1. the specifications set out in 5.1.1; or
  2. the combination of:
    1. an unaccented primary keyboard layout; and
    2. the secondary keyboard layout; and
    3. Appendix A of this standard.

5.2 Optional conformance

Conformance to the CSA standard at conformance level B or C (implementation of the secondary keyboard layout) is encouraged in order to provide access to the other characters found in Latin Alphabet No. 1 as defined in TBITS-3, Coded character set for information interchange.

5.3 Exemptions

A keyboard that does not comply with 5.1.1 or 5.1.2 may be acquired where its acquisition is reasonably justified.

This standard does not require retrofitting of keyboards purchased prior to the effective date.

6. Certification of compliance

No procedure is currently established to obtain a certificate of conformance.

7. Government keyboard standard working group

Hicks, Ed (Chairperson) TBS
Bourdon, André ECC
Brunton, Brian EIC
Butler, Ed PCO
Casselman, Brian RCT
Charlebois, George NLC
Chrenowski, Tony SEC
Clemis, David CC
Cyr, André INAC
Desrochers, Alain AGR
Farley, Benoit NRC
Gagné-Hallé, Claire ND
Hadrill, John ISTC
Hammond, Roy STC
Hart, Neil RCMP
Kroll, Gerry SSC
Morgan, David BC
Olmstead, Marilyn AGR
Payant, Christine OCG
Perrier, Yvon CIDA
Poulin, Greg HWC
Sauvé, Gene OCOL
Tweedle, Debbie FIN

8. Where to obtain copies

Copies of the technical specification may be obtained as follows:

CAN/CSA-Z243.200-91,
Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages
Canadian Standards Association
178 Rexdale Boulevard
Rexdale, Ontario
M9W 1R3

Tel: (416) 747-4044
Fax: (416) 747-2475

ISO 9995-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7,

Information processing CKeyboard layouts for text and office systems (1991 DIS)

Standards Council of Canada
270 Albert Street, Suite 200
OTTAWA ON K1P 6N7

Tel.: (613) 238-3222
Fax: (613) 569-7808


Appendix A - Clarifications and Additional Details

This Appendix is a normative part of this standard.

The purpose of this Appendix is to clarify interpretation of the CAN/CSA-Z243.200-91, Canadian Keyboard Standard for the English and French Languages, to provide additional details regarding the CSA standard, and to specify certain details of the unaccented primary keyboard layout provided for in TBITS-5.

1. On a keyboard that is labelled in accordance with the CSA primary keyboard layout, function keys shall be labelled only with symbolic labels, and the symbolic labels shall be in accordance with ISO 9995-7.

2. A keyboard may use either the 47-key or 48-key geometry as specified in Figures 1 and 2 of the CSA Standard.

3. The following requirements apply to all keyboards:

3.1 The keys for the functions "level 3 shift", "control" and "alternate" shall be located in row A.

3.2 The function "group shift" may be implemented with a single key in row A, or with a combination of two or three keys in any rows.

3.3 The symbol on level 3 of key E00 of the CSA Standard shall be shown on the keyboard as a solid vertical bar, not as a broken bar. It is the character found at code point 7C hex/124 decimal in TBITS-3. Wherever it may be positioned on unaccented primary keyboard layouts, its representation should be as a solid vertical bar.

3.4 If printed, engraved or some other fixed form of keycap labelling is used, then the labels for graphic characters shall be placed on keys in accordance with ISO 9995-1. If liquid crystal display or some other variable form of keycap labelling is used, then the labels for graphic characters may be placed in another fashion.

4. The following requirements apply to all 47-key keyboards:

4.1 The key for the function "return" shall be located in positions C12 and C13. This is the key that normally generates a "carriage return/line feed".

4.2 The key for the function backward erase shall be located in positions E13 and E14.

4.3 The secondary keyboard layout shall be the same as the ISO 9995-3 common secondary keyboard layout with the exception of the lack of key B00.

4.4 Where the broken bar ( ) is available in an implementation's character set, access shall be provided to it. The broken bar is a character in the ISO common secondary keyboard layout (ISO 9995-3), and is found at code point A6 hex/166 decimal in TBITS-3; it is not the vertical bar (|) at code point 7C hex/124 decimal, which is commonly mislabelled on keyboards as a broken bar. Since the broken bar on key B00 of the ISO common secondary keyboard layout cannot be accessed in the 47-key version of any of the keyboard layouts, some other means of access to it must be provided and documented with the keyboard documentation.

5. The following requirements apply to the secondary keyboard layout:

5.1 The secondary keyboard layout is the complete "common secondary keyboard layout" as defined in ISO 9995-3, to the extent that a given implementation can support it. Each implementation will of necessity be character-set dependent, but shall implement all the functionality of the ISO common secondary keyboard layout that is feasible within the constraints of that implementation. This shall include duplicating functionality that may be present in either of the two primary keyboard layouts (CSA or unaccented). That is, if the character set or sets available to an implementation contain a character that is within the ISO 9995-3 group 2 character set, then the secondary keyboard layout shall provide the functionality to produce that character, whether or not that character may be labelled on a keycap and whether or not it may be available in either primary keyboard layout.

5.2 Labelling of the secondary keyboard layout is optional with either primary keyboard layout. Partial labelling as indicated in Figures 4 and 5 of the CSA Standard is acceptable in conjunction with the CSA primary keyboard layout. When the secondary keyboard layout is labelled in conjunction with an unaccented primary keyboard layout, all available non-spacing diacritics and all other available characters that are not duplicated on the unaccented primary keyboard layout shall be labelled.

Appendix B - Explanatory Notes, Suggestions and Implementation Considerations

This Appendix is not a normative part of this standard.

The purpose of this Appendix is to explain some of the rationale behind TBITS-5, to make recommendations regarding aspects of the CSA standard and ISO 9995 that have not yet been fully defined, and to explain some of the potential problems that should be considered in implementing this standard.

1. Explanatory Notes

The headings within parentheses refer to the corresponding headings in the main text of the implementation criteria.

1.1 Official Languages Act

The following extracts from the Official Languages Act set the context for this standard:

35(1) Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that

  1. within the National Capital Region and in any part or region of Canada, or in any place outside Canada, that is prescribed, work environments of the institution are conducive to the effective use of both official languages and accommodate the use of either official language by its officers and employees; and

    36(1) Every federal institution has the duty, within the National Capital Region and in any part or region of Canada, or in any place outside Canada, that is prescribed for the purpose of paragraph 35(1)(a), to

  2. ensure that regularly and widely used automated systems for the processing and communication of data acquired or produced by the institution on or after January 1, 1991 can be used in either official language; and

    (2) Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that, within the National Capital Region and in any part or region of Canada, or in any place outside Canada, that is prescribed for the purpose of paragraph 35(1)(a), such measures are taken in addition to those required under subsection (1) as can reasonably be taken to establish and maintain work environments of the institution that are conducive to the effective use of both official languages and accommodate the use of either official language by its officers and employees./li>

For a list of prescribed regions, see Appendix C.

1.2 (1.7 Cross Index and 4. Interpretation)C ISO 9995 DIS

As of April 1, 1992, most of the ISO 9995 standard is still a Draft International Standard (DIS). It is anticipated that most of its parts will be finalized in 1992.

1.3 (3. Application)

"Keyboards" includes keyboards that are integrated with other parts of a computer such as a display screen or a processing unit. While it is mainly directed towards office-based keyboards, departments and agencies are encouraged to apply this standard, or a specified part of it, in all pertinent applications. However, it should not be applied if it would unduly restrict competition or unduly interfere with operations.

1.4 (4. Interpretation)

The only changes in the ISO 9995 DIS that are currently anticipated that may affect this standard relate to the positioning of the level 3 shift, group shift, Alt and Ctrl keys. Treasury Board Secretariat will endeavour to make updated information available as soon as possible after any changes to the DIS.

The CSA Standard defines a "primary keyboard layout" and a "secondary keyboard layout". The CSA primary keyboard layout standardizes the positioning of accented letters and diacritical marks and how to access them. The labelling specified for function keys used with this primary keyboard layout makes it feasible to use the one standard in English, French and bilingual environments.

The internationally-standardized secondary keyboard layout provides users of unaccented primary keyboard layouts with a viable and standardized means of producing accented characters. It also provides all users with standardized access to numerous additional characters that are often of use, such as characters used in other languages, fractions and special symbols. The extent of the availability of these additional characters will depend on the hardware and software being used.

The labelling of a keyboard layout relates to that layout (group, in ISO terminology) only. For example, if a key is labelled with the CSA primary keyboard layout and the ISO secondary keyboard layout, it is labelled with two layouts. Thus, the definition of "unaccented primary keyboard layout" as being one not labelled with any accented characters relates only to that single layout or group; it may be combined with another layout or group, such as the ISO common secondary keyboard layout, that contains labelled accented characters.

1.5 (5.3 Exemptions) C Some examples

Portable computers often do not have the exact physical keyboard layouts required by this standard, and that could be a reasonable justification for acquiring a non-standard keyboard. However, it may still be possible to require that they conform to the labelling and functionality requirements, within the limits of their non-standard physical layouts C this will depend on how soon manufacturers adapt their portables to this standard.

If a keyboard is being acquired primarily as a terminal to an existing computer that cannot support the accented characters intended to be produced by the keyboard, then that may be a reasonable justification for acquiring a non-standard keyboard.

The need to acquire keyboards adapted for use by persons with disabilities would be a reasonable justification for acquiring a non-standard keyboard.

1.6 (Appendix A, 3.1) C New shift and control key placements

There is still some debate within ISO over the positioning of the "level 3 shift", "group shift", "control" and "alternate" keys. We anticipate that it will result in further flexibility than the DIS provides for, so TBITS-5 provides considerably more flexibility than the DIS. TBITS-5 will be adjusted if necessary when ISO 9995 is finalized. (Note that it self-adjusts under clause 4 for most such changes.)

1.7 (Appendix A, 4.4) C Access to broken bar

It was proposed to the CSA that this character be placed on level 3 of key E11 (hyphen/underscore key), but it was not included due to the potential confusion respecting the solid vertical bar and the prevalent mislabelling of the vertical bar as a broken bar. Examples of acceptable other means of access are to hold down a key such as <Alt> and enter a code for the character, or to display a table of characters on the screen and provide a means of choosing to enter the broken bar.

1.8 (Appendix A, 5.1) C Secondary keyboard layout

"Implementation" generally equates to "operating system", although this does not prevent applications or some other level of software from implementing any of the specified keyboard layouts. However, it is usually preferable if it is done at the lowest level possible. For example, since access to all the graphic characters of TBITS-3 (CAN/CSA-Z243.4, ISO 8859-1) is able to be provided on all IBM-compatible personal computers (standard in Windows; available in MS/PC-DOS via code page 850 or third-party equivalents), the entire portion of the common secondary character set that is also part of the TBITS-3 character set should be functional on these computers (mapped to code page 850 for MS/PC-DOS).

Note that this does not guarantee that any given application within those implementations can properly process or image the entire character set C it may be some time before applications catch up with implementations in this regard. However, it at least enables those applications that can process and image the characters to do so.

Without going into the details, the clear implication in both the CSA Standard and ISO 9995 is that all characters of the common secondary group that are able to be functional shall be functional. This makes sense since manufacturers can then produce, for a given implementation, only one functional driver for the common secondary keyboard layout regardless of what national layouts it may be associated with. Labelling of group 2 characters on keycaps then becomes the separate issue that it is C dependant on national layouts.

In Canada, this has an immediate practical benefit in that users who wish to use an unaccented primary keyboard layout can still use the common secondary layout to obtain all the characters available within a given implementation's character set or sets.

1.9 Character sets

TBITS-3 adopts the Latin alphabet no. 1 graphic character set of CAN/CSA-Z243.4-87 which is the same as ISO 8859-1:1987. In this character set, each accented character is allocated to a separate code point.

The character set ISO 6937 is used in many telecommunications applications. It does not allocate separate code points to accented characters, but rather has a group of accents that, when followed by a valid letter, are interpreted as a single accented character. The ISO common secondary keyboard layout is based on the characters able to be generated using ISO 6937, which includes ISO 8859-1 as a proper subset.

IBM-compatible personal computers using PC/MS DOS 3.3 and above are capable of using a variety of character sets through the code page facility provided in DOS. While not a proper implementation of any of the above-mentioned character set standards, code page 850 provides the character set of Latin alphabet no. 1 and should therefore be used until a better option is available.

The Microsoft Windows operating environment bypasses the DOS code pages and uses the TBITS-3 character set (with the minor addition of single `6 and 9' quotes in the C1 set); therefore, Windows applications are essentially TBITS-3 compliant.

Implementations of keyboard drivers in IBM-compatible personal computers should take account of this information.

2. Suggestions

These suggestions are offered to assist suppliers in deciding how to implement certain features that otherwise are not clearly specified. They are not requirements and do not form part of any evaluation or compliance criteria. However, we commend them to keyboard suppliers, as well as to the CSA and ISO, who have as yet not seen fit to include such details in their keyboard standards.

2.1 Action of non-spacing characters ("accents")

Neither the CSA standard nor ISO 9995 defines what happens when a non-spacing character ("accent") is followed by an invalid character C that is, by a character with which the accent cannot be combined, either because the combination is not a recognized one (for example, ^3 or ^?) or because the particular implementation cannot deal with the combination (for example, ^j, which is a valid combination to produce a recognized language character (^j), but which most implementations cannot deal with).

The TBITS suggestion to suppliers is that this situation always be dealt with in the following simple and logical manner: discard the first in the sequence of two characters.

Thus, an accent followed by a 3 would produce only the 3. A circumflex followed by a j would produce the ^j character if that is available in the implementation, but otherwise would produce only the j. A circumflex followed by a diaeresis would discard the circumflex and would retain the diaeresis to be applied to the following character, if it is a valid one; likewise with a circumflex followed by itself.

An accent followed by a space is then a logical way to think of producing the accent as a spacing character, since it is essentially an accented space (which is made a valid character by definition).

2.2 Group shift and level 3 shift

Neither the CSA standard nor ISO 9995 defines important aspects of the operation of the group shift and level 3 shift keys.

Group shift would be relatively simple if there were only two groups, the primary keyboard layout and the common secondary keyboard layout, but the standards provide for an unlimited number of groups. Many keyboards in Canada will have at least three groups available, the third being an unaccented keyboard layout. (The unaccented keyboard layout will likely continue to be the default if no software to implement the CSA standard is loaded, and users may often find it necessary to activate it in order to work with certain software.)

Annex B to ISO 9995-1 describes (but does not even go so far as to recommend) one method of group shifting: use the group shift key in conjunction with the left and right (regular) shift keys to move from group to group. It is not clear as to whether "in conjunction with" means "at the same time as" or "one after the other" that is, to move to another group, must you press and hold the group shift key, then press a regular shift key, or can you press the group shift key, let it up, then press a regular shift key? However, the whole description is in conflict with another statement in Annex B to ISO 9995-1 which states. "If, while the group shift key is held down, a graphic key is operated, the graphic character is generated from a different group and depends on the shift level in force" (underline added). This statement appears to be an error, since shifting to another group cannot require that you hold the group shift key down in order to get any characters from whatever group it may be.

Similarly, regarding the level 3 shift key, ISO 9995-1 Annex B states that "if the level 3 shift key has been operated, the graphic character is generated from level 3" (underline added). This would imply that it is, or may be, a sticky shift key, and that you can get a level 3 character by pressing and releasing the level 3 shift key and then pressing the character key.

It is suggested that both group shift and level 3 shift be implemented to function in the same way as regular shift keys C they must be held down while another key is pressed in order to produce any effect. This is best for consistency, and allows easy "cancellation" of a miss-hit shift key. The only disadvantage is to persons who do not have two hands to type with, and special keyboard drivers that make shift keys "sticky" are generally available to solve the problem for them.

It is also suggested that group shift be implemented in the following fashion: press and hold the group shift key or two-key combination, then press a number from 0 to 9 to indicate the group (layout) to shift to. The primary keyboard layout for a given implementation should always be 1, the common secondary keyboard layout should always be 2, and then others can be added beyond that. The 0 (zero) keyboard layout should always be the power-on default keyboard layout that is in effect if no special keyboard drivers are loaded. For example, in current North American personal computers, it would almost always be the unaccented keyboard layout that a given supplier now provides. That layout should always be available in case it is needed for use with an application that cannot work with another layout. It is highly unlikely that anyone will want to implement more than 7 other keyboard layouts.

Thus, in an existing personal computer implementation of the CSA standard, group 0 would be the unaccented power-on default layout, group 1 would be the CSA primary keyboard layout, and group 2 would be the secondary keyboard layout. If a two-key combination is used for this sort of implementation of the group shift function, it is suggested that it be the Alt-Ctrl combination.

3. Some Implementation Considerations

These considerations relate primarily to IBM-compatible personal computers, though some (especially the first) are applicable to other equipment.

3.1 Keyboard is only one step

The main thing to recognize is that the keyboard is only one step in implementing the capability to use French with a computer system. In fact, it is not even the first step C it is only the most visible. It cannot function properly without a compatible character set, display device and printer. And of course, the operating system and applications should all work compatibly with each of these other pieces of the system. In other words, there are complications.

One thing that must be realized is that users who are presented with a keyboard that is labelled with accented characters will expect that it will work as labelled. Therefore, if it will not work with certain applications or in certain instances, then users should be advised of this and should be trained in what to do about the problems. Everyone needs to realize that the transition will not be without problems.

3.2 Code pages

MS/PC-DOS versions 3.3 and above have the ability to use several character sets, which DOS calls "code pages". The code page recommended for use in conjunction with the TBITS-5 keyboard standard is code page 850 C Multinational. It contains all the characters required by TBITS-3 although they are not mapped to the same code points in the upper half of the set. (There is a possible exception C the no-break space, which should presumably be code point 255 decimal/FF hex in code page 850, but it is not clear that this works.)

However, using a code page presents problems. One is RAM cram, and another is that many applications, including some of the most popular ones, do not work with code pages. These are covered in more detail below. Another problem that is more one of appearance than reality is that the intersections of double and single lines of box-drawing symbols created using code page 437 will appear as alphabetic characters on a display using code page 850.

3.3 Hardware and operating system requirements

To properly implement this keyboard standard on an IBM-compatible personal computer, the computer should have an EGA or VGA compatible display and should be operating under MS/PC-DOS 3.3 or higher. Otherwise, code pages cannot be fully implemented and most uppercase accented characters probably cannot be displayed.

3.4 RAM cram

A keyboard driver (software to implement this keyboard standard) takes up memory. Implementation of the code page facility takes up even more memory. This can become a problem, especially for computers on a network, because network drivers also take up a lot of memory. The result may be that there is insufficient memory to run some applications. Upgrading to a new operating system such as MS-DOS 5.0 or DR-DOS 5.0/6.0 can help considerably. Another possible aid is third-party substitutes for DOS code pages.

3.5 Networks

Networks present problems other than RAM cram. Most significant are incompatibilities among computers on a network. If one computer is using code page 850 and another is using code page 437 (the PC-compatible default), then transmission compatibility problems need to be considered. This may involve incompatibilities in file contents, complications with printer drivers, and other problems. For example, a database record or electronic mail message containing uppercase accents entered using code page 850 would appear to contain errors if viewed on a computer using code page 437. Generally, a printer driver has to know what code page is being printed in order to print it correctly (WordPerfect being an exception since it deals with code pages and extended characters by itself). Informatics support staff will have to become much more familiar with these problems than most such staff currently are.

3.6 Application problems

Very few MS/PC-DOS applications are "code-page aware" C that is, few even recognize that a code page other than 437 exists. One important exception is WordPerfect C for more details on its use with code pages and with French characters, refer to TBITS-15, The use of French characters with IBM-compatible personal computers. Most applications just pass characters through as bytes, not really caring what they are (unless, for example, you are doing a validity check in a database or a spellcheck in a document). Such "transparent" applications may pose few problems, other than with printer drivers. A few applications want to take over the computer themselves, to the extent of taking control of the keyboard and using their own character sets. Lotus 1-2-3 is the major example. The key is to know your environment and how your applications interact with it.

3.7 Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is an operating environment C something between the operating system (MS/PC-DOS) and the application (WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, etc.). However, it creates an environment so different from DOS that one can safely regard it, for most purposes, as another operating system, and this is especially true with respect to keyboards and character sets.

Windows both alleviates and creates problems. It alleviates problems because it uses its own character set that is essentially the same as the TBITS-3 character set, and all true Windows applications can use that character set. (Note that WordPerfect for Windows still uses its own character set C exactly the same as in the DOS version C but this does not present problems since it knows how to deal with the Windows character set.) Windows also provides various keyboard drivers, and will hopefully be able to provide the ones required by this TBITS-5 standard by the effective date.

Windows creates problems because it takes over the keyboard from DOS, substituting its own keyboard driver (except that in a DOS window, the DOS keyboard is re-activated). Also, at the time of writing this document, Windows appears to assume that all data being imported from DOS is in code page 437 format C it does not contain a means of specifying that data is in another code page format, specifically code page 850.

4. Conclusion

Even from this brief summary, which barely scratches the surface of a complex issue, it should be evident that there are many complications related to implementing the capability to use French on computer systems, and in particular on IBM-compatible personal computers. TBITS-3 and TBITS-5 are important steps on the road to resolving these complications. These standards are fully compatible with national and international standards, and will finally provide the computer industry with a definitive Canadian framework that will resolve the confusion that has previously existed.

As with any transition period, problems can be expected. The important thing is that we have established a target for the future. It is now up to suppliers and government informatics support staff to work toward the common goal of eliminating the problems.

Appendix C - Regions of Canada Prescribed under Part V of the Official Languages Act

RegionsCountiesCitiesTowns
The National Capital Region   
The Province of New Brunswick   
Bilingual Region of MontréalDeux-Montagnes Île-de-Montréal et Île-JésusDeux-Montagnes, Ste-Scholastique, Beaconsfield, Côte-St-Luc, Dorval, Lachine, LaSalle, Laval, Montréal, Montréal-Nord, Outremont, Pierre-fonds, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Pointe-Claire, St-Laurent, St-Léonard, Verdun, WestmountOka-sur-le-Lac, St-Eustache, Anjou, Baie-d'Urfé, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Hampstead, Île-Dorval, Kirkland, Montréal-Est, Montréal-Ouest, Mont-Royal, Roxboro, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ste-Geneviève, St-Pierre
 La Prairie Brossard, Candiac, Delson, La Prairie
 Vaudreuil Dorion, Hudson, Île-Cadieux, Île-Perrot, Pincourt, Pointe-du-Moulin, Rigaud, Vaudreuil
Bilingual Regions of Bonaventure New Richmond
"Other parts of Quebec"Gaspé-EstGaspé, PercéChandler
 Brome Bromont, Lac-Brome, Sutton
 Compton; Cookshire, Eas-Angus, Scotstown, Waterville
 Huntingdon Huntingdon
 MississquoiFarnhamBedford, Cowansville
 Richmond Asbestor, Bromptonville, Danville, Richmond, Windsor
 StansteadMagogLennoxville
 ArgenteuilLachuteBarkmere
 Pontiac(excluding those sections of the county located in the National Capital Region
Bilingual Region of Glengarry Alexandria
Eastern OntarioPrescott Hawkesbury, Vankleek Hill
 Russell(excluding those sections of the county located in the National Capital Region)Rockland
 StormontCornwall 
RegionsCountiesCitiesTowns
Bilingual Region of Northern OntarioAlgomaSault Ste MarieBlind River, Bruce Mines, Thessalon
 Cochrane Cochrane, Hearst, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Timmins
 NipissingNorth BayBonfield, Cache Bay, Mattawa, Sturgeon Falls
 SudburySudburyCapreol, Coniston, Copper Cliff, Espanola, Levack, Lively, Massey, Webbwood
 Timiskaming Charlton, Cobalt, Englehart, Latchford, New Liskeard

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the President of the Treasury Board, 2017,
ISBN: 978-0-660-20403-1