18(1)The judge may, in one of the official languages, read or cause to be read to the defendant a statement, the wording of which is prescribed by regulation, advising the defendant of the right to have the proceedings conducted in the official language of the defendant’s choice and asking the defendant to choose the official language in which the proceedings are to be conducted.

18(2)Where the defendant does not indicate a choice of official language when asked to do so by the judge under subsection (1), the judge may read or cause to be read to the defendant in the other official language the statement referred to in subsection (1).

18(3)Where the defendant does not indicate a choice of official language when asked to do so by the judge under subsection (2), the judge may read or cause to be read to the defendant, in both official languages, a statement, the wording of which is prescribed by regulation, specifying one of the official languages as the language in which the proceedings will be conducted and asking if the defendant objects to the proceedings being conducted in that language.

18(4)Where the defendant does not object to the official language specified by the judge under subsection (3), the defendant shall be deemed to have chosen the official language specified under subsection (3).

18(5)Where the defendant objects to the official language specified by the judge under subsection (3), the defendant shall be deemed to have chosen the other official language.