One of the most difficult political & technical problems facing lang planners in multiethnic states is that of transforming the precepts of lang legislation into a spatially coherent administrative system of lang districts. The recommendations of the Canadian Bilingual Districts Advisory Board are examined & the evolution & reception of the bilingual district concept in contemporary Canadian politics is traced. It is concluded that federal lang policy will have to be more attuned to the microscale sociolinguistic situation in a country as diverse as Canada. The increasing flexibility of government designs for lang minorities is noted. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 21 References. Modified AA.