From an intergroup macroscopic model of the factors related to the vitality of a linguistic minority group, five principles are used to explain how societal forces influence the language experiences of the minority group members. This model also explains how individuals and the collective group can exercise their autonomy to counteract social determinism. The cultural autonomy model is explained and applied to official language minority communities (OLMC) to show their need for institutional autonomy in order to maintain their linguistic vitality in Canada. Recognizing their right to cultural autonomy could be a way to fully legitimate their linguistic rights. OLMCs are described as extensions of the two societal cultures that provide the foundation of Canada’s linguistic duality.