Support for Official Language Minority Communities |
| OTTAWA, March 24, 1997 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Treasury Board President Marcel Massé today reaffirmed the government's commitment to the development of the official-language minority communities -- Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones outside Quebec. They announced the signing of a joint Memorandum of Understanding designed to provide greater accountability in departmental support to the development of these communities. The agreement reflects the government's profound commitment to a Canada which is proud of its linguistic duality. Today's signing fulfills a promise made in the Government's response to the second report of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages on the implementation of sections 41 and 42 of the Official Languages Act. In the response, tabled November 18, 1996, the Government recognized the need for more rigorous accountability for the implementation of these sections of the Act. As a result, the Treasury Board Secretariat - the central agency responsible for reviewing the annual business plans submitted by departments - is asked to play a role in this regard. The response stated that a Memorandum of Understanding would be signed between the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the President of the Treasury Board. The agreement will encourage federal institutions to include in their overall strategic planning and evaluation process the government's commitment under section 41 of the Official Languages Act. "Our linguistic duality is one of our fundamental characteristics as a nation," said Minister Copps. "I am pleased that the Government of Canada is taking this important step to further strengthen our commitment to minority language communities." "The Treasury Board Secretariat will complement the Department of Canadian Heritage in the full scope of its activities and provide advice and guidance to federal institutions in reaching their objectives under section 41," added Minister Massé. This agreement is a significant step in this area vital to the Government's commitment to the linguistic duality that is at the very root of Canadian identity. - 30 - Information: Julia Arnsby Press Secretary Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage (819) 997-7788 Jean Lapierre Press Secretary Office of the President of the Treasury Board (613) 957-2666 24/03/1997 THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO THE OFFICIAL-LANGUAGE MINORITY COMMUNITIES To Canadians Living in Official Language Minority Communities : Our official languages are at the very core of the Canadian identity. The Official Languages Act, rooted in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, sets the framework for our commitment to linguistic equality. As Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated in February 1995 : "The governments of which I have been a member have always made it a point of honour to protect official language minorities everywhere in Canada - Francophones outside Quebec and Anglophones in Quebec... This is one of the fundamental principles I have defended throughout my political career. And it will continue to be an important priority for the government I lead. This government will ensure that all federal institutions play a role in developing Francophone communities by taking their specific needs into account." While progress has been made in making federal institutions aware of their responsibilities in contributing to the development of official-language minority communities, we recognize that more needs to be done. The Government of Canada intends to build on this solid foundation and to further its active partnership with the official-language minority communities. Federal institutions, as they are more aware of the importance of responding to official-language minority communities' needs, will play an increased and dynamic role in this undertaking. The Treasury Board Secretariat will complement the Department of Canadian Heritage in the full scope of its activities and provide advice and guidance to federal institutions in reaching their objectives under section 41. This agreement between our two departments is a significant step in this area vital to the Government's commitment to the linguistic duality that is at the very root of Canadian identity. It also reflects our profound personal commitment to a Canada which has every reason to be proud of its linguistic duality. The Honourable Sheila Copps The Honourable Marcel Massé Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Treasury Board Minister of Canadian Heritage |
