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Strategic outcome: Compliance with and respect for the Official Languages Act by federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Act.
Program activity name: Compliance AssuranceFinancial Resources (in thousands of dollars)
Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
---|---|---|
8,958 | 9,731 | 9,217 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
Planned | Actual | Difference |
---|---|---|
86 | 73 | 13 |
The “Compliance Assurance” activity brings to the attention of federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Act the need to develop sustainable solutions to issues relating to the implementation of the Official Languages Act. By investigating complaints; conducting audits, ongoing monitoring and performance measurements; and maintaining a working relationship with these institutions, the Office of the Commissioner reinforces compliance with the Act.
The “Compliance Assurance” activity includes the following three sub-activities:
Program Activity: Policy and Communications
Financial Resources (in thousands of dollars)
Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
---|---|---|
10,274 | 11,426 | 11,129 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
Planned | Actual | Difference |
---|---|---|
81 | 78 | 3 |
The “Policy and Communications” activity undertakes research and analysis to identify opportunities and implement strategies for influencing change among the Office of the Commissioner’s stakeholders. Through this activity, the Office of the Commissioner supports the work of parliamentary committees. It also informs members of the public of the provisions and scope of the Act and on the role of the Commissioner.
The “Policy and Communications” activity includes the following three sub-activities:
First Strategic Priority: Federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Official Languages Act respect and promote the equality of English and French. |
Strategic Results:
1.1 Services of equal quality are available in English and French.
1.2 Measures are taken to establish a workplace conducive to the effective use of English and French as language of work.
Program Activity: Compliance Assurance
Based on investigations, report cards, audits and proactive and preventive interventions, the Commissioner has observed that the implementation of the Act has reached a plateau and there are still systemic problems. The Office of the Commissioner has observed, amongst others, shortcomings in terms of language of work (Part V of the Act). Given that the establishment of a bilingual workplace within an institution has a direct impact on the institution’s level of compliance with respect to its obligations derived from other sections of the Act, the Commissioner recommended in his 2007–2008 annual report that deputy heads of all federal institutions take concrete steps, by December 31, 2008, to create a work environment that is more conducive to the use of both English and French by employees in designated bilingual regions.
Investigations
The Commissioner works with federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Official Languages Act to encourage them to fulfill their obligations. As Canada’s linguistic ombudsman, the Commissioner handles complaints regarding the Act that the public, including federal public servants, file in their own name or on behalf of a group or community. The Office of the Commissioner determines whether a complaint is admissible, in other words, whether it involves an obligation set out in the Act, whether it involves an institution subject to the Act or whether it involves a specific incident. The Commissioner investigates admissible complaints to determine whether they are founded and to find permanent solutions.
In 2007–2008, the Office of the Commissioner received 884 complaints of which 634 were admissible and subsequently investigated. Of these complaints, 68% dealt with language of service (Part IV), 18% with language of work (Part V), 6% with promotion of English and French (Part VII), 6% with the language requirements of federal public service positions (Part XI, section 91) and 2% with equitable participation (Part VI). The 634 complaints involved 86 institutions, but over half of them targeted 10 institutions (see 2007–2008 annual report). In 2006–2007, the number of complaints received was 999. Of these, 118 dealt with Part VII of the Act (promotion of English and French) and were filed in response to Government of Canada budget cuts.
Performance measurement
The Commissioner assesses the performance of federal institutions through report cards that identify their strengths and weaknesses in complying with the Act. This enables senior managers of these institutions to take specific measures to improve their performance and achieve better results. The report cards guide decisions on the choice of institutions for audits. The five factors examined during the report card process are the following: program management, service to the public, language of work, equitable participation and the development of official language minority communities and the promotion of linguistic duality.
In 2007–2008, the Office of the Commissioner added Air Canada to its list of institutions assessed to better understand the compliance issues that have resulted in the high number of complaints against it.
The criteria for supporting the development of official language minority communities and promoting linguistic duality have also been changed to better reflect the spirit of the amendments made to the Act by Parliament in 2005.
Audits and follow-ups
When the risk is high and there are systemic problems, the Commissioner carries out his ombudsman role by conducting audits. Some institutions are audited because of specific problems raised in the performance report cards or a high number of complaints. To maintain an ongoing dialogue with these institutions, the Office of the Commissioner works with them to fulfill their obligations and obtain firm commitments to implement the necessary corrective and preventive measures. According to the Office of the Commissioner’s external audit policy, audits are followed up 18 to 24 months after the report is published in order to assess the progress made in implementing the recommendations.
The audit of the Halifax International Airport Authority began in 2007–2008. It deals with official languages program management, especially senior management’s commitment, the current infrastructure, and control measures supporting the program.
The Environment Canada audit dealt with service to the public, particularly bilingual meteorological services provided through the Meteorological Service of Canada’s automated telephone system. The audit found that Environment Canada has the internal structure to provide services in both official languages. However, recent observations on telephone services brought to light some serious shortcomings in terms of adequate services and active offer.
In response to worrying results on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada report card in terms of service to the public, the Commissioner conducted an audit.
The Commissioner followed up on three audits from 2005. These follow-ups involved the Canada Border Services Agency, the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), and the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) and the Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
The follow-up with the Canada Border Services Agency dealt with service to the public at various border crossings and attempted to determine how well the institution had implemented the Office of the Commissioner’s 12 recommendations.
The Commissioner also followed up with PWGSC regarding internal management of the official languages program.
The follow-up of the CFDCs and the CBDCs dealt with service to the public and promotion of English and French. Since the CFDCs and CBDCs provide services on behalf of four institutions that are subject to the Act (Western Canada Economic Diversification, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Economic Development Agency of Canada and Industry Canada [Fednor]), these institutions must ensure that companies and corporations provide bilingual services and take into account official language communities.
Preventive and proactive measures
The Commissioner continued to intervene with federal institutions to prevent problems and encourage them to better fulfill their obligations. Since the beginning of the Commissioner’s mandate, this preventive and proactive intervention method has been part of his overall approach to his ombudsman role in order to establish more effective working relationships with institutions and obtain more tangible results while protecting the language rights of Canadians. The Commissioner is continuing with this approach, leading to action on several fronts, including finding innovative solutions to numerous long-standing complaints, developing strategies for institutions where there are systemic problems and a better dialogue with all the institutions.
Preventive interventions bring situations to an institution’s attention and prevent violations of the Act. In particular, a model memorandum of agreement was developed and discussions were initiated with certain institutions to negotiate agreements and strengthen commitments. The Office of the Commissioner also intervened proactively in response to issues raised in the media, to prevent any complaint from being filed. These interventions are increasingly integral to the Office of the Commissioner’s compliance tools.
For example, in the past year, the Commissioner learned that the panels installed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial before the events of the 90th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge contained errors in French. The Commissioner quickly intervened with Veterans Affairs Canada. The Department removed the panels to correct them and avoid having one of the two official languages perceived as inferior to the other, especially in a context recalling Canada’s contribution to history.
The Commissioner and his management met with executives from various institutions to make them aware of their obligations under the Act and thus ensure greater compliance. These meetings included the Canada Border Services Agency and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority. The Office of the Commissioner made presentations to various networks, namely the Departmental Advisory Committee on Official Languages and the Crown Corporations Advisory Committee on Official Languages.
Legal affairs
The Commissioner intervenes before the courts when other methods fail to produce results or when a case raises important legal issues on the interpretation of the public’s language rights or the obligations of federal institutions. Moreover, when institutions do not take the necessary measures to follow up on the Commissioner’s recommendations, complainants sometimes seek legal remedy. In 2007–2008, the Commissioner intervened in four cases to advance linguistic duality in Canadian society.
CALDECH: In June 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada accepted the application for leave to appeal the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal in CALDECH (November 17, 2006) and the Commissioner’s application to be a co-appellant. Furthermore, in August 2007, following a joint request from CALDECH and the Commissioner, the Supreme Court formulated the following constitutional question: “Do subsection 20(1) of the Charter and Part IV of the Official Languages Act, interpreted in light of the equality principle set out in subsection 16(1) of the Charter, require Industry Canada to provide services of equal quality in both official languages?”
Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick: In October 2007, the Commissioner intervened before the Supreme Court of Canada in this case involving a complaint by Ms. Paulin that a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer assigned to Woodstock, New Brunswick was unable to speak to her in French when he apprehended her. The Commissioner testified that all RCMP detachments are required to offer their services in both official languages throughout New Brunswick. The Commissioner found it necessary to intervene in this case because of its consequences for the New Brunswick Francophone community, but also because of its impact on the constitutional language rights of all Francophones in Canada.
VIA RAIL: Five complainants filed an application before the Federal Court of Canada, alleging essentially that VIA Rail violated section 91 of the Act, which requires objectivity in determining the language criteria of designated bilingual positions. The application also raises important questions regarding the Federal Court’s statutory jurisdiction to hear applications filed under Part X of the Act.
LAVOIE: In May 2007, the Commissioner appeared before the Federal Court to provide details on the process followed by the Office of the Commissioner in investigations into the plaintiff’s complaints.
Program Activity: Policy and Communications
Federal public servants’ awareness
The Office of the Commissioner’s regional offices play an important role with respect to federal institutions, including federal councils and interdepartmental networks of official language coordinators. They determine key elements for accomplishing the goals of the Act, and intervene preventively and proactively to achieve better results for Canadians. Examples of these activities include the following:
In the West – Employees from regional offices made presentations to the Pacific Federal Council, the Pacific Federal Council Official Languages Committee, the Alberta Federal Council and the Alberta Federal Council Official Languages Committee on the Office of the Commissioner’s observations in the 2006–2007 annual report.
In Manitoba and Saskatchewan – The Office of the Commissioner organized training sessions (in English and French) for Official Languages Act coordinators and their managers. The training consisted of a learning session on Parts IV and VII of the Act and a review of the performance report cards supported by six case studies to encourage participant discussion, increase their knowledge and make them aware of the Act.
In Atlantic Canada – The Office of the Commissioner helped coordinate Official Languages Week, which was held January 28 to February 1 with the theme “Linguistic Duality: A Treasure Before our Eyes.” It was an excellent opportunity to promote a workplace respectful of both official languages. A video was produced to promote linguistic duality, featuring members of the New Brunswick Federal Council as key leaders in this area. A provincial tour on linguistic duality was also organized, visiting 10 cities across the province.
In Quebec – In January 2008, the Commissioner spoke at a meeting of the Quebec Federal Council. He took this opportunity to highlight certain issues faced by federal institutions, including public service renewal, service to the public, active offer and language of work. The Commissioner emphasized the importance of continuing the Action Plan for Official Languages and the responsibility of federal institutions to help develop official language minority communities.
Also in Quebec – Representatives from the Office of the Commissioner met with key senior federal public service leaders to discuss the participation of Anglophones (employee recruitment and retention). The focus of the discussion was to look at ways to resolve the long-standing issue of the under-representation of English-speaking employees in the federal public service in Quebec and opportunities presented by the public service renewal initiative.
In the National Capital Region – On April 10, 2007, the Commissioner appeared before the Network of Departmental Official Languages Champions to speak about the importance of its leaders in creating a workplace that is respectful of both official languages. He expressed his opinion on the language training offered to federal employees which, in its new form, is a challenge for the departments to administer.
Research
During the period in question, the Office of the Commissioner ordered the following study:
Horizontal Management of Official Languages (March 2008)
In its May 2007 report on the impact of the relocation of federal institutions’ head offices, the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages asked the Commissioner to examine and make recommendations on the horizontal management of official languages. The Commissioner decided to ask Donald J. Savoie, an expert in the field, to assess the current official languages management structure within the federal administration and to provide advice on how to ensure appropriate coordination.
Parliamentary relations
As an officer of Parliament, the Commissioner works closely with parliamentarians and various parliamentary committees to ensure the three main objectives of the Act are met. The Commissioner made the following interventions in the 2007–2008 fiscal year:
In the context of the release of the 2006–2007 annual report, the Commissioner appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages (June 7, 2007) and the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages (June 4, 2007) to present his conclusions.
On May 3 and November 27, 2007, the Commissioner explained his position on Bill C‑13 (previously known as C-23) to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. He specifically addressed the proposed amendments to sections 530 and 530.1 of the Criminal Code, which guarantee the language rights of the accused. The Commissioner expressed his support for this bill, which enhances the current language rights of the accused, and suggested two changes to clarify some provisions, including one that allows the courts to order bilingual proceedings.
On November 27 and December 3, 2007, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages and the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, the Commissioner gave an overview of the first year of his seven-year term, and unveiled his priorities for fiscal year 2007–2008.
On January 31, 2008, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages, the Commissioner presented his assessment of the Action Plan for Official Languages (2003–2008). He explained to parliamentarians the four components that should be included in the next Action Plan: promotion of linguistic duality, second‑language learning, community development and public service renewal.
Second Strategic Priority: The vitality of official language minority communities in Canada is enhanced in sectors affecting the communities’ development. |
Strategic Results:
2.1 Federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Official Languages Act consider the needs of linguistic minority communities in the development and implementation of their strategic plans, policies and programs and are accountable for measures taken and results achieved.
2.2 The federal government encourages provincial and territorial governments to adopt measures to enhance the vitality of linguistic minority communities.
Program Activity: Compliance Assurance
It should be noted that a number of interventions by the Commissioner and his office reported under the first strategic priority also apply to the second and third strategic priorities outlined in this report.
Investigations
The Office of the Commissioner conducted an investigation after 118 complaints were filed regarding the federal government’s decisions regarding to the 2006 expenditure review. These complaints were made pursuant to Part VII of the Act, which deals with the advancement of English and French. The Office of the Commissioner sent a preliminary report to the complainants and institutions in May 2007, and the final investigation report followed in October 2007. In February 2008, the Office of the Commissioner followed up on three recommendations after the implementation deadline. The government reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its obligations pursuant to Part VII of the Act, but did not comment on the recommended corrective measures.
Legal affair
In December 2007, the Commissioner intervened in the case of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne vs. the Government of Canada. This court remedy dealt with the government’s decision to eliminate the Court Challenges Program, and the Federal Court heard the case in Fredericton in February 2008. This was the Court’s first opportunity to rule on the scope of federal institutions’ language obligations under Part VII of the amended Act. The Commissioner pointed out that Part VII requires every federal institution subject to the Act to not only take positive measures to support and assist official language minority community development, but also to enhance the vitality of these communities.
In November 2007, the Commissioner appeared as an intervener before the Court of Appeal of the Northwest Territories (NWT) in FÉdÉration franco-tÉnoise. The Commissioner emphasized the need to rule on the application of the Charter in the NWT to determine the responsibility of the Government of Canada as well as the scope of the NWT government’s obligations.
Performance measurement
In the report cards for federal institutions, the development of official language minority communities and promotion of linguistic duality account for 25% of the overall rating. For these criteria, the Commissioner determines whether institutions take development of official language minority communities and promotion of linguistic duality into account in their strategic planning and their policy and program development, as well as whether they have taken positive measures in this regard.
Program Activity: Policy and Communications
Research
The Commissioner published three studies during the period in question:
Vitality Indicators for Official Language Minority Communities 1: Francophones in Urban Settings – Halifax, October 2007; Winnipeg, October 2007; Sudbury, November 2007
This study identifies a number of vitality indicators in four sectors of activity (immigration, health care, community governance and access to government services). The objectives of this action research were the following: to highlight success factors and best practices related to vitality in the selected communities and sectors; to identify useful and valid vitality indicators for other official language communities; to offer vitality evaluation tools into which these indicators could be included; and to inform government institutions and communities of the relevance of working toward an ongoing, detailed and informative evaluation of vitality. The study outlines a process and work tools to help communities set their development activity priorities and to provide information to federal institutions. This study is an action research project that draws on the May 2006 study entitled A Sharper View: Evaluating the Vitality of Official Language Communities.
In Sudbury, the launching of the study, attended by 50 people and the local media, prompted the community to initiate a strategic planning project (estates general). In Winnipeg, the Office of the Commissioner held a discussion with 53 participants on how to follow up on the study. The planning currently underway is based on this information. In Halifax, more than 150 people were at the study launch. The local English-language media picked up the news and increased the community’s visibility.
Federal Government Support for the Arts and Culture in Official Language Minority Communities (March 2008)
The purpose of the study was to determine whether the federal government’s measures to promote the arts and culture in official language minority communities are adequate and contribute to their vitality, and whether the communities receive an equal share of the funding allocated to cultural programming. A section of the study dealt with the specific challenges and obstacles that artists in official language minority communities are facing. In the study, the Commissioner observed that despite the federal government’s efforts, it still does not have a long-term vision for supporting artists and arts and culture organizations.
In January 2008, the Symposium on Official Languages Research Issues was organized through a partnership involving Canadian Heritage, Statistics Canada, Health Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Industry Canada, the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. While also providing a networking opportunity, the symposium helped 150 participants objectively review the current state of official languages research in Canada and identify avenues for making research in this field more relevant. One of the longer term goals is to increase the use of policy and community development research.
During the symposium, the Commissioner presented the study The Role of Canadian Federal Research Funding Agencies in the Promotion of Official Languages. This study reports on how federal research funding agencies are meeting their responsibilities toward researchers who work in the language of the minority, who study official languages issues or who work in an institution in a minority community. The study identifies some of the challenges that researchers face, as well as funding agency best practices. The agencies participated in bilateral meetings to discuss the main findings and recommendations.
Interventions with the Government of Canada and other organizations
The Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages was closely monitored. On several occasions, the Commissioner urged the government to follow up on the Plan, including during his appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages on November 27, 2007 (accompanied by a news release) and the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages on December 3, 2007, during many interviews and during a second appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages on January 31, 2008. In December 2007, the government commissioned Bernard Lord to lead a national consultation. In a meeting with Mr. Lord, the Commissioner discussed priorities for the future plan, including support for the arts and culture, the promotion of linguistic duality and measures to help the public service provide high-quality service in both official languages and create a workplace that respects linguistic duality.
The Office of the Commissioner monitored Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) hearings and decisions pertaining to official languages issues. The Commissioner intervened with the CRTC to emphasize that any reforms to the Canadian Television Fund should continue to support French-language television production in minority communities.
Awareness of official language communities
The Office of the Commissioner’s regional offices have a close relationship with official language communities, serving as bridge-builders between regional federal institutions, associations and communities, to ensure that institutions take community needs into account in the development and implementation of policies, programs and strategic planning. Since Part VII of the Act was amended, federal institutions have been required to take positive measures to support the development of official language minority communities. Regional offices act as a liaison by meeting with institutions and giving them information on their obligations. The Commissioner’s regional offices carried out the following initiatives:
In Quebec – The Office of the Commissioner attended the 2008 conference entitled Community Revitalization: Trends and Opportunities for the English-Speaking Communities of Quebec held in Montréal on February 29 and March 1 and 2, 2008. The Commissioner addressed the 200 representatives and guests from the Anglophone community, as well as federal and provincial government representatives.
The Office of the Commissioner actively assisted the Federal Coordination Committee for celebrations associated with the 400th anniversary of Québec City, in which 50 federal public service employees were involved.
In Ontario – The Office of the Commissioner sat on the cultural diversity committee of the conference of the Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française (ACELF). In late September 2007, the Commissioner gave a speech at the ACELF annual conference in Toronto, in which he emphasized the importance that official language communities take ethnic and cultural diversity into account in the education system and in community development.
In October 2007, the Office of the Commissioner participated in the organizing committee of the Symposium on Official Languages, organized by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), with financial support from Canadian Heritage. This symposium attracted 180 participants.
In Atlantic Canada – The Office of the Commissioner attended the first Governmental Community Forum organized by the Comité de développement des ressources francophones (CDRF), a three-party committee that promotes community economic development and the vitality of Prince Edward Island’s Acadian community. Employees from the Commissioner’s office set up a booth at this event, and learned about issues and priorities in the province’s Francophone and Acadian community. More than 80 participants from 40 community organizations and 20 federal and provincial departments took part in the Forum. In addition to expressing its needs, the Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin recommended positive measures that government institutions can take to meet their needs. The society used the same approach for specific issues.
In the National Capital Region – The Office of the Commissioner helped plan the Sommet des communautés francophones et acadiennes (FCFA), which was held in Ottawa from June 1 to 3, 2007. The Commissioner gave a speech to over 800 participants on June 2.
Intervention with the Government of Nunavut
The Office of the Commissioner participated in the Government of Nunavut’s consultations on two draft bills that were tabled in June 2007 and deal with official languages and protection of Inuit languages. These bills aim to develop a new language policy to make English, French and Inuit the official languages of the territory. The Commissioner explained his position on the official languages bill in a letter to the Minister of Official Languages.
In November 2007, the Government of Nunavut tabled a bill on education. The Commissioner sent the committee chair his comments and suggestions on how to enhance the bill in light of the constitutional rights set out in section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Third Strategic Priority: The equality of English and French is recognized and fostered as a value in an increasingly diverse Canadian society. |
Strategic Results:
3.1 Federal institutions and other organizations subject to the Act integrate linguistic duality into the development and implementation of their policies and programs.
3.2 There is sustained public support for linguistic duality as a value in Canadian society.
Program Activity: Compliance Assurance
Audit and follow-up
In 2005, the Office of the Commissioner audited the Canadian Tourism Commission’s compliance with its obligations to promote linguistic duality. In 2007, a follow-up assessment was made on the implementation of eight recommendations and on the organization’s promotion of English and French in Canadian society and Canada’s bilingual character abroad.
Program Activity: Policy and Communications
Research
The Commissioner published these follow-up reports during the period in question:
Follow-up to the study Doorway to the World: Linguistic Duality in Canada’s International Relations (November 2007)
In 2004, the Office of the Commissioner published a study on linguistic duality in Canada’s international relations. It dealt with Canada’s bilingual identity in international policy and the federal government’s major programs and activities in this area. The study stressed that linguistic duality constitutes a defining characteristic of Canada’s international identity and focused on four federal departments that carry out activities at the international level: Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada, Canadian Heritage and Industry Canada. The Office of the Commissioner followed up to determine the extent to which the departments involved had implemented the 29 recommendations of the 2004 study.
Two other studies were undertaken during the year and will continue into 2008–2009.
Second-language learning programs across the country are participating in the promotion of linguistic duality, since they contribute to dialogue, understanding and respect within the two linguistic groups and foster Canadians’ full participation in society. The Commissioner notes that there are very few incentives to encourage youth to continue to enrol in French second-language programs after high school. Statistics from the latest census confirm that the rate of bilingualism among youth starts to drop after the age of 19.
In cooperation with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the Office of the Commissioner therefore took the initiative to carry out a study on second-language learning opportunities at Canadian universities. The purpose of the study is to gather information on second-language learning opportunities available to students pursuing university studies and preparing their careers.
The second study evaluates the ability of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to fully reflect Canada’s linguistic duality. As a preventive measure, the Office of the Commissioner is determining how the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games plans to meet the Government of Canada’s official languages requirements. The Commissioner appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages and brought the matter to committee members’ attention. Although the study does not cover the broadcasting of the Games in both official languages, the Commissioner continues to monitor this issue closely and has met with key stakeholders.
For several years, the Office of the Commissioner has been looking for ways to better understand how the Canadian public perceives linguistic duality and how this perception affects federal policy in the current context of growing cultural diversity. Given Canada’s increasingly diverse, urban and multicultural nature, linguistic duality must be considered a tool to bring together all Canadians so that everyone can participate and contribute fully to Canadian society.
In October 2007, the Office of the Commissioner held a discussion forum on the perspectives of Canadians of diverse backgrounds on linguistic duality. More than 50 people attended. The forum brought to light participants’ willingness and eagerness to discuss this topic, as well as their understanding of linguistic duality as a basic value in Canadian society. Many participants expressed the importance of finding new ways to establish links between various communities, both at the local and national levels. Learning a second language is a good example of this.
In November 2007, the Office of the Commissioner worked with the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) to organize a discussion forum called “Living and Learning in a Bilingual Canada.” About 50 people, mostly high school students, took part in the activity. Young people from all provinces and territories, accompanied by their second-language teachers, met to discuss their vision of a bilingual Canada and to identify ways of better integrating linguistic duality into their daily lives.
Promotion of linguistic duality
Although promotion and education activities are discussed under the third strategic priority, these activities also support the first and second priorities.
The Office of the Commissioner helped organize two Canadian moot court competitions: the Laskin Moot Court Competition and the Ottawa-Moncton Cup. Participants debated issues related to Part VII of the Act and access to French-language legal services in the Yukon.
The Commissioner addresses Canadians directly when he speaks at public forums and to the media. In 2007–2008, the Commissioner gave 154 interviews, and the Office of the Commissioner was mentioned 1,966 times in the Canadian media. The Commissioner also gave 75 speeches at events both in Canada and abroad. He has addressed academics, immersion and minority-language teachers, official language minority community leaders, public servants, parliamentary committees and other groups, in essence, a total of about 13,000 people. The Office of the Commissioner also published 18 news releases. See http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/communiques_releases_e.php.
In the past year, the Office of the Commissioner responded to close to 800 requests for information by telephone and in writing on the application of the Official Languages Act and related topics. The Office of the Commissioner also set up 22 information booths aimed at reaching out to certain target groups. More than 900 people visited these booths.
Employees of the Office of the Commissioner developed and gave training and information sessions to ensure that requirements and responsibilities under the Act are well understood by federal institutions, other organizations subject to the Act and communities. They addressed various parts of the Act, reviewed training packages for these organizations and emphasized language of work and active offer.
The Office of the Commissioner developed new promotional products for the public, including a poster promoting second-language learning and everyday office items with messages in both official languages. The Office of the Commissioner also reviewed the content of its Web site, redesigned the layout and navigation, and added links to events and news articles. The new promotional products will be handed out at the Office of the Commissioner’s information booth as part of the 400th anniversary of Québec City during the summer of 2008.
The Office of the Commissioner is always looking for innovative ways to promote linguistic duality. Beyond Words, published three times a year, is a new e-newsletter on official languages in Canada. Since fall 2007, it has covered various topics of current interest related to official languages. Regular features include “Focus on a Community,” “Under Study,” “Languages in the World” and “Speaker’s Corner.” Articles in Beyond Words are written to meet specific needs.
On April 16, 2007, the Commissioner spoke at a conference organized by the Association for Canadian Studies to mark the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. More than 200 people were present.
To highlight this 25th anniversary, the Office of the Commissioner produced a video on the Charter in which young people from across Canada talk about their vision of linguistic duality, addressing such topics as their origins, the protection of language rights, bilingualism, cultural diversity, culture and the future of the two official languages in Canada.
Fourth Strategic Priority: The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages develops and maintains an exemplary workplace and an effective and efficient management. |
Strategic Results:
4.1 A knowledge-based environment is encouraged, where sound and clear leadership prevails.
4.2 Risk management is integral to the modern management practices of the Office of the Commissioner.
Through a working group established over two years ago, officers of Parliament exchange information on best practices and lessons learned. They examine different approaches to guard the integrity of their role and independence from the government. The Commissioner’s independence is ensured by a legislative mandate and freedom from certain government controls.
The Office of the Commissioner participated actively in the review of the pilot project of the House of Commons Advisory Panel on the Funding of Officers of Parliament. This review found the pilot project to be a success, that it achieved its primary goal of reducing the perception of conflict of interest, that it consolidated the independence of officers of Parliament and that it clarified the role of Parliament while ensuring that the government fulfills its responsibility of sound management of public funds.
The Office of the Commissioner has developed a three-year strategic human resources management plan, which supports one of the organization’s strategic priorities, namely staff growth and renewal. It is intended to mitigate one of the issues in the Office of the Commissioner’s risk profile: employee retention and succession. The three-year plan consists of four human resources priorities and a variety of strategies. These priorities are the following: employment equity, new graduate recruitment, succession planning and employee training and development.
To create an enabling work environment where employees are satisfied and motivated, the Office of the Commissioner has developed action plans for each branch and set up an inter-branch working group on horizontal issues. The training set out in the comprehensive action plan was offered to employees. The action plans take into account the results of the 2005 Public Service Employee Survey.
Providing a workplace that is conducive to professional development and the integration of new employees is one of the Office of the Commissioner’s priorities. To do this, the Young Professionals Network was created in the past year, and is enjoying great success. The Network has five goals: supporting the Office of the Commissioner’s priorities and mandate, providing development opportunities, sharing best practices, creating networking opportunities and providing ongoing support to management. The Network will continue its activities in 2008–2009 and will be evaluated.
In addition, developing individual learning plans is a priority in terms of the Office of the Commissioner’s employee development. The following are a few examples of training taken during this period:
As mentioned above, in his capacity as Canada’s linguistic ombudsman, the Commissioner focuses on a culture of cooperation in his interventions with institutions and other interlocutors. In order to better support him, a new team was set up to deal with prevention and strategic analysis, by focusing on new approaches. An internal committee on the ombudsman role was created. It deals with horizontal work approaches, and discusses new ways for the Commissioner to maximize his ombudsman role in a proactive and strategic manner. An external advisory committee on the ombudsman role, representing the various partnerships established by the Office of the Commissioner, was also formed to guide the organization in this process and provide the expertise necessary to carry out the planned reforms.
The Office of the Commissioner continued its knowledge-management activities. It developed guidelines to support employees in information management. An information management/information technology (IM/IT) awareness campaign was also organized to present new updated tools to address more targeted IM issues and meet the organization’s growing needs.
Since April 1, 2007, the Office of the Commissioner has been subject to the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. It thus established an access to information unit that responds to all requests in a timely manner. The Office of the Commissioner received 24 access to information requestsand two requests under the Privacy Act.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Office of the Commissioner received an unqualified opinion on its financial statements from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada following the audit of the financial statements for 2007-2008.
As part of the Office of the Commissioner’s modern management practices, and in order to promote ethics-centred management practices, the Internal Audit Function and Internal Audit Committee were established this year and are operational.