Culture Change

Official languages – Still on the front page at Public Works and Government Services Canada

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) recognizes the importance of linguistic duality and is committed to promoting a bilingual workplace. This includes respecting employees’ linguistic rights and integrating awareness of official languages into our daily work.

To this end, PWGSC publishes the electronic newsletter Dialogue, which offers information on the rights and responsibilities related to official languages and contributes to creating a workplace that is conducive to using both French and English.

In addition, each issue of this bulletin includes tools that help employees work more effectively in both official languages, from writing tricks and online resources to grammar quizzes and advice on how to maintain second language proficiency.

Dialogue also provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about official languages, and employees are kept up to date on official languages activities.

Contact: Julie Lemieux, julie.a.lemieux@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Public Works and Government Services Canada adopts core values

Official Languages and Linguistic Duality are an integral part of the four values adopted at Public Works and Government Services Canada. The values are as follow: respect, integrity, excellence and leadership.

• Respect – We are honest, equitable, fair and respectful with our colleagues, partners and clients, all the while recognizing their individual contributions and diversity.
• Integrity – We act with integrity and in the public’s best interest at all times and ensure transparent, accountable and responsible management at all levels of the organization.
• Excellence – We work collaboratively to provide for excellence and professionalism in the delivery of services to our partners, clients and Canadians while achieving best value for government.
• Leadership – We demonstrate leadership through responsible action, forward-looking perspective and commitment to continual improvement.

Contact: Robert J. Tremblay, robert.tremblay@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Making your organization bilingual – A guide and practical tools developed at Canadian Heritage

There is no magic formula for making an organization bilingual. Like any other process of change, the actual implementation must be tailored to an organization's individual situation and needs, phased in gradually and, above all, regularly reviewed. This site provides valuable information designed to guide organizations through the process.

Take a look at the site!

Contact: Alexa Chown, alexa.chown@pch.gc.ca.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission: A natural setting for language rights

The Commission owes it to itself to set the example. In today's Canada, its priorities rest on the principles of sound management and the creation of an environment defined by respect for others, ongoing dialogue with employees, and pride in speaking the official language of one's choice.

Contact: Kathy Sandra Dorlette, kathy.dorlette@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca