New Official Languages Policy Instruments
(effective as of July 15th, 2005)
1. What do the new official languages policy instruments cover?
The new policy instruments which come into effect on July 15th,
2005 (one policy and two directives) set out the linguistic obligations of
federal institutions in the area of communications and services to the public.
The Policy on the Use of Official
Languages for Communications with and Services to the Public
identifies linguistic obligations of federal institutions with regard to serving
members of the public in the official language of their choice, in accordance
with the provisions of the Official
Languages Act (the Act) and the Regulations.
This policy deals with institutions' use of official languages in various
circumstances, such as when providing services to the public, using media,
organizing or participating in events of national or international scope, or
distributing lengthy documents.
The two directives provide institutions with more detailed information on
communications in order to ensure that:
- members of the public are served in the official language of their
choice, in accordance with the provisions of the Act or the Regulations;
- employees located in regions designated bilingual enjoy a work
environment that enables them to use English or French, in the
circumstances described in the Act and in the Policy
on Language of Work.
The Directive on the Use of
Official Languages on Web Sites of the federal government sets out,
for example, the criteria used to identify Web sites that must be in both
English and French, and indicates the language in which introductory messages
must be posted.
The Directive on the Use of
Official Languages in Electronic Communications provides information
on the language or languages to be used in other electronic communications. For
example, the Directive sets out the circumstances in which e-mails must be
prepared in both official languages.
2. Why are there two directives?
There are two directives because each one is intended for a different
audience:
3. To what institutions do the new policy instruments apply?
They apply to all institutions subject to the Official Languages Act
(the Act), with the exception of the Senate, the House of Commons, the
Library of Parliament, the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer and the Office of
the Ethics Commissioner.
Institutions subject to the Act include federal departments, agencies
and Crown corporations, as well as certain private sector companies such as Air
Canada and Nav Canada.
4. What is different in the new policy instruments?
The policy instruments have a new structure and presentation, adapted for the
Web. The new instruments were prepared to update and clarify official languages
obligations of federal institutions with regard to service to the public in
general. The directives also clarify obligations for service to the public and
employees’ language of work on Web sites and in electronic communications.
5. What will implementing these new policy instruments cost?
The linguistic obligations have not changed. Therefore, implementing the new
policy instruments should not create additional costs.
6. Will the new policy instruments affect services offered to official
language minority communities?
Official language minority communities will continue to receive the bilingual
services to which they are entitled under the Act or the Regulations.
The new policy instruments do not amend the Regulations.
7. Which federal Web sites are required to be bilingual?
The Web sites of offices or facilities designated bilingual must be available
in both official languages simultaneously, because those offices or facilities
must respect the right of members of the public to communicate and receive
services in the official language of their choice.
8. Which federal Web sites can be unilingual?
The Web site of a unilingual office or facility may be made available in only
one official language when the content of the site is intended exclusively for
the public served by that office or facility.
9. Where can I find more information on the new policy instruments?
You can access the new policy instruments at :
http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ollo/common/policies-politiques_e.asp
You will also find reference tools, such as definitions and additional
explanations.
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