Official Languages – A Shared Responsibility at Public Works and
Government Services Canada
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
has adopted an official languages
accountability framework that defines the roles and responsibilities of the
various levels in the chain of command within the department. The purpose of the
framework is to demonstrate senior
management’s leadership role in creating a corporate culture where both
official languages are equally valued and respected.
The framework also lists the four
official languages values adopted by PWGSC senior management: respect,
transparency, professionalism and excellence. These four values form the basis
for PWGSC’s Official Languages Program and are an integral part of messages
sent to employees (e.g. accountability framework, departmental policies,
internal communication plan, awareness tools, etc.).
The framework stresses that the
success of the Official Languages Program is a shared responsibility. It is up
to each and every one of us in the department to incorporate these values into
our daily work and the way we deal with our employees, colleagues and
clients.
Contact: Sylvie Jalbert, sylvie.jalbert@tpsgc.gc.ca.
Parks Canada Agency: Leadership Makes for a Winning Formula!
Parks Canada Agency has made considerable
efforts to integrate both official languages fully in its operations and to
promote Canada's linguistic duality.
Despite its status as a separate employer,
the Agency has retained all Treasury Board policies, which are well ingrained
in the organization's culture. For example, meetings of the Executive Committee
and monthly meetings of senior managers are held in both official languages
since participants all possess the language skills that facilitate such
exchanges. This style of chairmanship creates a climate conducive to the use of
both official languages within the Agency.
Among the Agency’s other initiatives is
"Parks Canada in schools," a program designed to provide teachers
throughout the country with course materials concerning heritage areas managed
by the agency. Parks Canada also seized the opportunity of the 400th
anniversary of the arrival of French settlers in Canada in 2004 to create a
lesson plan for high-school students in order to encourage greater knowledge of
individuals, events and places of national historic importance related to the
French presence in Canada.
For his leadership in creating a culture of
respect of linguistic dualities and for seeking to promote this value
throughout the Agency as well as Canadian society, Mr. Alan Latourelle, the Agency’s Chief Executive
Officer, received an award from the Commissioner of Official
Languages in 2005-2006.
Contact: Diane Lépine, diane.lepine@pc.gc.ca
2006 Public Service Award of Excellence – Official Languages Component
The Public Service Award of Excellence is presented to public service employees who, through their resolve and vision, have helped build the country. The recipients have set themselves apart not only through their achievements but also through their innovative approach. Their successes truly reflect the current values of the Public Service of Canada and their efforts have made it possible for the Public Service to better meet the needs of Canadians.
This year, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACAO) Official Languages Committee, New Brunswick Region, is one of recipients. The Committee showed initiative by taking creative steps to promote innovative projects designed to create a work environment that encourages the use of both official languages.
In 2003–04, the Committee, which is made up of 15 members, launched a peer mentorship program for employees to enable them to perfect their knowledge of their second language with respect to oral interaction, writing, or reading through the help of a mentor. Since its inception, this program has attracted over 90 participants. Another special initiative undertaken by the Committee was the creation of a day for the use of French, “le mercredi en français” or “French Wednesday.” This initiative allows Anglophone employees to practise their second language and Francophone employees to express themselves in their mother tongue at work. These measures provide employees with a way of maintaining or improving their
second-language skills and promote a truly bilingual work environment.
The Committee demonstrated leadership by ensuring the promotion of the two official languages and by encouraging the Agency to foster a culture that better reflects our linguistic duality.
Official Languages Good Practices Forum: an Initiative of the Public Service
Human Resources Management Agency of Canada
In November 2005, the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of
Canada organized the first Official Languages Good Practices Forum, in
partnership with Statistics Canada and in cooperation with the Council of the
Network of Departmental Official Languages Champions and the department of
Canadian Heritage. The event principally sought to recognize the dynamism and
creativity of individuals who contribute to the advancement and promotion of
official languages within their institutions.
The first part of the forum concerned modifications made to part VII of the Official
languages Act, which give force of law to the government’s obligations
following passage of Bill S-3 (An Act to amend the Official Languages Act.
Afterwards, participants were called upon to identify ways to improve synergy
within the institution between key stakeholders that are the Champion, the
person responsible for official languages, and the national coordinator of the
implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act.
During the second part of the Forum, members of the larger official languages
community were invited to visit the booths of 22 institutions to share good
practices and innovative tools related to the management of the official
languages program.
According to participants, this first meeting is a step in the right
direction and an event that should take place again.
Contact: Bernard Devost, devost.bernard@hrma-agrh.gc.ca
Transport Canada Official Languages Accountability Framework
The new Official Languages Accountability Framework, which has been approved in June 2005, defines the specific roles and responsibilities of the various levels of management, employees and key enabling organizations in meeting Transport Canada’s official languages obligations. It should be used as another vehicle to ensure that the linguistic rights of employees, clients and the general public are known and respected by all.
Transport Canada is pleased to offer you this PDF document for more information
Official Languages Accountability Framework
Contact: Francine Charbonneau, charbof@tc.gc.ca
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Official Languages Governance Team
Headed up by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) champion and co-champion, the AAFC Official Languages Governance Team will provide broad and
strategic-level advice and recommendations to the Champion and Co-champion of AAFC in support of the department’s strategies for official languages. The team is made up of 18 members representing a wide variety of employees from different regions of the country.
The AAFC Official Languages Governance Team’s activities will focus on: 1) fostering the integration of official languages into
decision-making; 2) facilitating the implementation of the AAFC official languages program; and 3) promoting the use of official languages in the operations of AAFC.
Contact : Nathalie Corbeil, corbeiln@agr.gc.ca
Dialogue to Find a Common Solution in Western Canada Forum 4-2-1 (4 Provinces, 2 Official Languages, 1 Plan)
Because the challenges involved in official languages and the desire to make improvements are not limited to one province, the Saskatchewan Federal Council (SFC) suggested that the four western federal councils meet in 2003 to discuss language issues.The participating councils wanted to achieve a dialogue that would serve as the basis for a sustainable cultural change.
This resulted in the creation of Forum 4-2-1 as a means of finding a solution to an essentially western problem, thereby allowing the region to achieve full and fair participation in Canadian affairs.
More than 100 participants attended the conference, held in Regina, Saskatchewan, on November 18 and 19, 2003, including delegates from the four western provinces, observers from the three territories and representatives from provincial
French-language offices and the Francophone community.
A key outcome was the creation of a strategic plan that is built on four pillars:
- Service to the public
- Development of the Francophone community
- Leadership and culture change
- Language training and retention
This is a wonderful model to follow.
The Forum received $60,000 in funding from the Regional Partnerships Fund component of the Official Languages Innovation Program.
The Official Languages Committee is very active and anticipates more achievements in
2003-2004.
Contact: Arline Trew, arline.trew@wd-deo.gc.ca
Bilingualism at the Heart of the Vision of the National Research Council Canada
The Council's commitment to serving members of the public in the official language of their choice includes incorporating bilingualism in its
long-term corporate plan. Part of the commitment involves giving employees a guide containing helpful phrases.
Contact: Christiane Charron, christiane.charron@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Linguistic Links Between the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Department of Canadian Heritage
One effective way of promoting official languages is to work co-operatively across federal organizations. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Department of Canadian Heritage collaborated with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to implement cultural and heritage support programs. Their objective is to ensure that materials and services are available to the Francophone community. This will mean economic promotion and official languages promotion working as one!
Contact: Eugène Aucoin, eaucoin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
At the Canada Lands Company, Bilingualism Goes Hand in Hand With
Effectiveness
Performance objectives and bilingualism are not incompatible. The Company has included both as target objectives in its performance management framework. Both its corporate plan and its annual report include initiatives, performance indicators, and results indicators in an effort to entrench bilingualism in all designated positions.
Contact: Gordon McIvor, gmcivor@clc.ca
Bilingualism and Integration at Citizenship and Immigration Canada
How can new immigrants be made aware of the issues and realities of bilingualism? At Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the answer to this question lies in the creation of a steering committee in partnership with the minority official language communities. The dual benefit is that Francophone communities, employees, and service providers become aware of the official languages requirements of each province and it becomes easier to integrate new immigrants.
Contact: Micheline Doiron, micheline.doiron@cic.gc.ca
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: Celebrating Official Languages
Why not celebrate bilingualism? June 14 has been designated Bilingualism Day. This is a tremendous opportunity. At Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the official languages champion is inviting employees to come up with activities in their workplace to mark this special day. This initiative is being extended to the intranet. Since bilingualism is not just for June 14, posters will be used to remind people to hold meetings in both official languages in all designated bilingual regions.
Contact: Guylaine Durand, durandg@ainc-inac.gc.ca
Transport Canada: Official Languages are Central to the Concept of Service
At Transport Canada, serving the public in both official languages is also a matter of ethics. In order to ensure that official languages are an integral part of the working environment, the department has produced a brochure that highlights the rights of both clients and employees. In terms of bilingualism, the department is far from losing its momentum. The freedom to use the official language of one's choice is a matter of respect and an integral part of everyday life.
Contact: Francine Charbonneau, charbof@tc.gc.ca
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