2002-2003 REPORT ON PROGRESS
ON SECTION 41 OF THE
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT

General Information
Executive Summary 2002-2003

First Objective
To facilitate the settlement and integration of newcomers into Canada's Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs)

• Department-Wide
• Integration Branch
• Refugee Branch
• Communications Branch
  
• British Columbia / Yukon Region
  
• Ontario Region
• Atlantic Region
  

Second Objective
To promote the awareness of OLMCs and Canada's bilingual character among CIC's clients and the general public

• Department-Wide
• Integration Branch
• Communications Branch
• Metropolis
• Atlantic Region
• Ontario Region
• International Region
• British Columbia / Yukon Region

Third Objective
To ensure the interests of OLMCs are considered in the development of policies and programs.

• Department-Wide
  
• Strategic Directions and Communications
  
• Refugees Branch
  
• International Region
  
• Metropolis
  
• Ontario Region (additional)
  
• Atlantic Region

Have Your Say

Annex A - Officers Responsible for Section 41 of the Official Languages Act

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada

The objective of Citizenship and Immigration Canada is to ensure that the movement of people into Canada and membership in Canadian society contributes to Canada's social and economic well-being while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians. Citizenship and immigration policies and programs are managed in a fashion consistent with Canada's domestic needs and capacities while fulfilling our international commitments and responsibilities toward persons in need of protection.

Mission

CIC's mission is to build a stronger Canada by:

• Deriving maximum benefit from the global movement of people;
• Protecting refugees at home and abroad;
• Supporting the settlement, adaptation and integration of newcomers; and
• Managing access to Canada.

Objectives

CIC's objectives are to:

• Contribute to Canada's economic growth;
• Contribute to Canada's social and cultural enrichment;
• Protect the health, safety and security of Canadians;
• Meet international humanitarian commitments;
• Encourage participation of newcomers in Canadian society; and
• Foster national pride and awareness of rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Objectives
re: Official Languages Minority Communities (OLMCs)

IRPA objectives pertinent to OLMCs include the following:

• To support and assist the development of official languages minority communities in Canada; and
• Supports the commitment of the Government of Canada to enhance the vitality of Canada's English and French linguistic minority communities.

Contact

For general information on Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we can be reached at:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 18^th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
Telephone:(888) 242-2100
K1A 1L1
Internet: http://www.cic.gc.ca

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2002-2003

This annual Report on Progress measures Citizenship and Immigration Canada's progress on implementing Section 41 of the Official Languages Act during the fiscal year 2002-2003. Progress is measured against Principal Measures that were identified in the Action Plan for the same period. In fulfilling its commitment to fostering the development and vitality of the official language minority communities, CIC has taken steps to enable those communities to share in the economic and social benefits of immigration to Canada.

Section 41 of the Official Languages Act affirms the responsibility of CIC and all federal departments, agencies and Crown Corporations to give effect to the Government of Canada's statutory commitment to:

1. enhancing the vitality of the French and English linguistic minority communities and supporting and assisting their development; and

2. fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

Over the past year, significant progress has been made by CIC in implementing the objectives outlined in the Official Languages Act. For example, CIC has worked toward the inclusion of official languages clauses in various cooperation agreements signed over the past year clearly signalling the Department's desire to effectively implement its obligations under Section 41 of the Act. Many of the Department's actions of the past year have 'set the stage' for future progress toward enabling the greater understanding of and further adoption of official language objectives.

On June 28, 2002, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the accompanying Regulations came into effect, reflecting the first major overhaul of the immigration and refugee system in 25 years. CIC used this opportunity to create a new objective on official languages; to support and assist the development of official language minority communities in Canada. Many departmental employees have received IRPA training providing them with a good working knowledge of the new rules, procedures and systems - inclusive of approaches to incorporating official language considerations in daily applications. As anticipated, official language considerations are receiving increased prominence.

Highlights of CIC's progress over the past year include:

• Signing of the Canada-Manitoba Immigration Agreement. A key feature in the agreement is the introduction of a new approach in which both Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the province of Manitoba will determine the number of Provincial Nominee Program candidates, including Francophones;
• Further to the objectives in the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), new clauses were being negotiated on official languages that have been added to the draft Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-operation on Immigration;
• Official language clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreements were amended to be more fully in accordance with the Official Languages Act;
• The elimination of pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas will increase the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities, including OLMCs;
• Refugee profiles have been posted on a secure website to inform sponsorship agreement holders of refugees requiring sponsorship, thus facilitating selection of those who are best suited to the sponsoring community;
• CIC-BC/Yukon region held information briefings for external stakeholders in the community on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. These sessions were held throughout the region in May and June 2002 prior to implementation; and
• During the year a performance measurement database (Immigration - Contribution Accountability Measurement System - iCAMS) was in the process of being developed. The database will begin to produce national-level reports in 2003-04 that show the official language knowledge of the client group.

Department-Wide Progress

Principal Measure 1:

• Publish research and information on the linguistic integration of immigrants in order to address barriers to integration and inform public policy.

Progress:

• Progress made within the framework of the Interdepartmental Partnership with Official Language Communities (IPOLC) or Partenariat interministériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO):

• Publication of phase 1 of the capacity study assessing the ability to accommodate newcomers in main urban centres of Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Sudbury and Moncton.

• Study in progress on the capacity (phase 2) of five French-speaking minority communities to accommodate newcomers and the perception of these communities vis-a-vis immigration in urban and semi-rural environments.

• Initial development of a strategic framework in partnership with the French-speaking minority communities.

• Other:

• Inventory and summary of studies and research that addresses linguistic issues by Metropolis to be completed in 2003-2004.

Principal Measure 2:

• Improve the delivery of services to clients.

Progress:

• Preparation and delivery of questions and answers for service provider organizations abroad on new clauses concerning official languages in contribution agreements as well as questions & answers (Qs&As) for CIC employees.

• Purchase and development of tools for information delivery by service provider organizations such as bilingual posters, pins and printed information panels.

• Development of an evaluation grid for assessing services provided in French and identification of new models of French-language service provision.

Principal Measure 3:

• Discussion of CIC's OL commitments at key meetings at National Headquarters and in the regions.

Progress:

• Workshop held at national meeting in February 2003 to define the demand for services in both official languages.

• Two presentations on official languages and the initiatives of the Department at the Policy and the Operations Committee of CIC.

• Presentation on the various official language initiatives of the Department to a meeting of the program officers of the Prairies/ NWT Region.

Principal Measure 4:

• All citizenship ceremonies will reflect Canada's linguistic duality and Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) will be invited to participate either as hosts, guest speakers, or by assisting in the organization of special receptions.

Progress:

• The citizenship ceremony is an opportunity to reinforce Canadian values including linguistic duality. To the degree appropriate, judges are encouraged to address remarks in both official languages.

• Speech modules prepared for citizenship judges for International day (March 20, 2003) and International Week of Francophonie.

• Speech prepared for the co-chair of the community component of the CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee.

• Speech prepared for the head of the Community sub-committee of the CIC Management Committee on French-speaking minority language Communities.

• Speech prepared for the Commissioner of Official Languages for a citizenship ceremony at the Metropolis Conference in Edmonton in March 2003.

Principal Measure 5:

• Explore opportunities to encourage OLMCs to participate in Citizenship Week activities.

Progress:

• An Interdepartmental Committee on Citizenship Promotion, co-chaired by CIC and Canadian Heritage, was created. A first meeting was held in January 2003 and a comprehensive calendar of key national events (including Citizenship week) is being developed. Common messages and themes will be identified for the promotion of these events.

Principal Measure 6:

• Ensure CIC staff promote the availability of various ceremonies in both official languages.

Progress:

• Speech modules, publicity and information for all ceremonies are developed and provided in both official languages.

• Distinguished francophones took part in ceremonies; for example the CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee co-chair as well as the Commissioner of Official Languages.

Progress (Prairies & Northern Territories)

• Signing of Canada-Manitoba agreement. A key feature in the agreement is the introduction of a new approach in which the number of Provincial Nominee Program participants would be determined by both Citizenship and Immigration and the province of Manitoba. The agreement recognizes the commitment by Manitoba to deliver settlement services in both official languages, to consult with representatives from the Francophone community on recruitment initiatives for the Provincial Nominee Program, and to work to increase the number of francophone immigrants to Manitoba.

• Sensitization meetings with the Francophone community and service providers held in both Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta - and will continue.

• Sub-committee of the National CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee established. First meeting will be in 2003-04.

• Community organizing committee in place in Winnipeg and plan of action has been developed.

• CIC staff have been involved with negotiating and implementing pilot projects under the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official Language Communities (IPOLC), Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program and Host agreements with the community as well as generally assisting communities to develop the capacity to welcome, integrate and retain French speaking newcomers.

Progress (Quebec Region):

• The Quebec region ensures that all documentation is available in both official languages. Additionally, there was improvement in the visibility of services offered in both official languages.

Integration Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• To develop strategies and to explore the possibility of setting up pilot projects.

Progress:

• Initial development of a strategic framework in partnership with the minority language French-speaking communities.

• Publication of phase 1 of the capacity study assessing the ability to accommodate newcomers in main urban centres of Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Sudbury and Moncton.

• Study in progress (phase 2) on the capacity of five French-speaking minority communities to accommodate newcomers and the perception of these communities vis-a-vis immigration in urban and semi-rural environments.

Principal Measure 2:

• Identify possible research activities for the CIC Research Network.

Progress:

• Inventory and summary of studies and research that addresses linguistic issues by Metropolis to be completed in 2003-2004.

• Joint development and delivery with the Commissioner of Official Languages of a workshop on immigration and the French-speaking communities delivered at Metropolis conference in March 2003.

• Meeting and exchanges between Metropolis, the Network for research on French-speaking Canadians and representatives of the French-speaking communities.

Refugee Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• Amend official languages clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreement so they accord more fully with the Official Languages Act.

Progress:

• Official language clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreement were amended so that they are more fully in accordance with the Official Languages Act.

• This will help ensure that agreement holders engage in the promotion of official languages and service to the public in both official languages.

Principal Measure 2:

• Increasing the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities by eliminating pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas.

Progress:

• The elimination of pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas will increase the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities. This action will ensure that refugees, including Francophone refugees, are destined to communities where they will best be able to integrate using their preferred official language.

Principal Measure 3:

• Posting refugee profiles on a secure web site to inform sponsorship agreement holders of refugees requiring sponsorship.

Progress:

• Refugee profiles have been posted on a secure website to inform sponsorship agreement holders of refugees requiring sponsorship. This action will allow sponsorship agreement holders to select refugees who are best suited to the sponsoring community given the refugees' linguistic and cultural backgrounds, among other factors.

Principal Measure 4:

• Participating in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada- Francophone Minority communities Steering Committee.

Progress:

• The Director General of the Refugee Branch participates in the CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee with a view to increasing the number of francophone refugees destined to OLMCs.

Communications Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• Ensure all external communications products are available in both official languages.

Progress:

• All client and public information, including advertising, is available on the website or in print in both official languages at the same time.

British Columbia / Yukon Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Work with Fédération de la CB, Provincial Government on IPOLC initiative.

Progress:

• In addition to this, the BC/Yukon Region struck a regional subcommittee to complement the national steering committee and to further develop a local strategy. Participants include the Federation des Francophones de la Colombie Britannique, Province of British Columbia (two different reps) and members of the francophone community. This subcommittee met on many occasions to discuss steps on how to sensitize and engage the francophone community in immigration settlement issues.

• The regional sub-committee helped design a community project for the purpose of furthering the Phase 1 capacity study conducted by the FCFA. This project, which evaluated the capacity of francophone communities, showed many deficiencies in welcoming and integrating new French speaking arrivals. A regional project/study was developed in partnership with the provincial government, the francophone association and CIC. The Province of BC, CIC and Heritage Canada jointly funded this project. This project began in the 2002-03 fiscal year and will run into 2003-04 with consultations taking place in the fall of 2003. The objective of the study is to identify gaps in services and then develop an action plan that would enhance settlement services in Vancouver for French-speaking immigrants.

Other Progress:

• CIC - NHQ is a co-chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada-Francophone minority Community Steering Committee. The steering committee met three times during the fiscal year with the RDG or delegate from CIC BC/Yukon attending and participating at each of these meetings. Our participation and follow up locally with the community participants demonstrates CIC's willingness to enter into discussions and take action to further assess what can be done in BC.

• During this fiscal year, CIC BC Yukon was instrumental in encouraging the BC Government to send a representative to attend the Steering Committee meetings. As a result, a provincial representative is actively participating and bringing a different perspective to the table. Engaging the BC Government toward implementing any changes to the delivery of services to French-speaking 'new arrivals' has become imperative since the devolution of services to the province.

• CIC participated in a presentation by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages on its report entitled: "Official Languages and Immigration: Obstacles and Opportunities for Immigrants and Communities." CIC then had opportunities to present information to the participants, including education, employment and the characteristics profile of the francophone community of Vancouver.

Principal Measure 2:

• Working with Integration Branch (NHQ) to implement the new official language clauses in our 2002/2003 Settlement Program contribution agreements.

Progress:

• Official language clauses have been added to external service provider contracts that were concluded during this fiscal year.

• Continue to work bilaterally with other regions (e.g. Manitoba) to share best practices.

• Further to the objectives of the Immigration Refugee Protection Act, CIC pursued official language clauses in ongoing negotiations to renew the existing Canada-British Columbia immigration agreement. These new clauses set the stage for the Province of BC to assist in the development of official language minority communities in Canada and enhance their vitality through service delivery. In addition, the new clauses would further oblige the BC Government to consult with the minority language community in BC around provincial nominee issues.

Ontario Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Discussions on OL commitments at Regional Management meetings.

Progress:

• CIC consulted with the francophone communities in Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury and London/Windsor in the Summer of 2002. Consultations were followed up by working sessions in the same communities in the Fall of 2002. The purpose of the consultations and working sessions was to get a feel for the pulse of the community, the needs and the types of partnerships with settlement agencies that would address the requirements of francophone newcomers to these communities.

• In each of the four community areas, representatives were asked to sit down together to develop the concepts of projects to be presented to the Ontario region sub-committee - francophone minority communities. They were given information with respect to the specific criteria that they would have to follow, one of which was that the project must work to unify the community.

• In Toronto, the organizations wanted to explore the feasibility of putting in place a francophone community agency based on a model similar to that of "Skills for change" in order to help the integration of newcomers on the job market. The francophone community in Toronto launched another concept related to the introduction of reception and settlement infrastructures in order to create a reception centre for francophone newcomers.

• In Sudbury a need was identified for a one-stop service to provide information on all community services. Services to francophone newcomers are limited and are provided by small agencies that received no funding assistance.

• In London/Windsor a proposal was made for the creation of a reception service specializing in providing reception, settlement and integration services to newcomers in Southwestern Ontario.

• The issues of the francophone community in Ottawa are quite significant. Prior to developing any concepts or projects, a need has been identified by the department to set up a regular ISAP agency.

Principal Measure 2:

• Contract clauses integrated for Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP).

Progress:

• A recommendation has been made to set up an ISAP Agency in Ottawa to offer direct settlement services to francophone newcomers. The call for proposals will be launched in July and we expect the agency to be set up in September.

• In London, the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) has conducted an assessment of the needs of French speaking immigrants and refugees and the reception capacity of the London region. A project for funding has recently been sent for review to the Ontario Region sub-committee by the ACFO London/Sarnia.

• A consultant will be contracted in July 2003 to continue the work in Sudbury and Toronto and help developing projects. The consultant will also provide the department with recommendations.

• A survey was carried out to collect information on the settlement agencies' ability to provide services to newcomers in French. The survey results will provide the Department with statistical data about the availability of French services within the communities across Ontario. It will also provide the ability to identify bilingual agencies and assess their capacity to serve the francophone community.

Principal Measure 3:

• Consultations continuing with respect to settlement issues.

Progress:

• See progress described in Principal Measure 2 above.

Principal Measure 4:

• Project to develop material specific to French Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program in Ottawa.

Progress:

• Ontario Region has signed an agreement for the development of material addressing needs specific to elder immigrant for use in LINC classes conducted in French. It has also contracted out the French translation of 15 products/ collaterals relating to settlement.

Principal Measure 5:

• Work with agencies to develop projects.

Progress:

• No progress reported.

Principal Measure 6:

• Implement Host Program in Greater Toronto Area

Progress:

• No progress reported.

Principal Measure 7:

• Implement SWIS (Settlement Workers in Schools) Program.

Progress:

• No progress reported.

Atlantic Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Work with the Official Languages Committee of the Nova Scotia Federal Council to improve inter-departmental efforts to provide proactive services to OLMC in Nova Scotia.

Progress:

• Involvement has been limited. Permanent representation has been identified for the upcoming year.

Principal Measure 2:

• Collaborate with the Department of Canadian Heritage to work with OLM communities concerning immigrant language services and the attraction of francophone immigrants to Atlantic Canada, especially New Brunswick.

Progress:

• Discussions have widened to include HRDC and ACOA in attracting francophone immigrants to New Brunswick.

Additional Progress:

New Brunswick

• CIC and the Moncton immigrant service provider Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA) met with the Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick (SAANB) in September 2002. Outcomes of the meeting include:

• Work towards the establishment of a tri-partite committee consisting of  NB (Provincial departments), Canada (ACOA, PCH, HRDC & CIC) and the OLMC (SAANB, Université de Moncton (UdeM) etc). This committee meets regularly to support, monitor  and evaluate OLMC projects. Two project proposals have been developed and presented to the committee. Both were approved in principle. Joint funding formulas are to be determined during June 2003.

• Proposal from U de M to establish a pilot project focused on international francophone students. The project estimated at $200,000 over two years would allow students to work with francophone companies off campus including a mentorship program.

• Proposal from SAANB with an estimated cost of $104,000 to increase the capacity of the francophone community to welcome and integrate francophone immigrants to New Brunswick and specifically to the Greater Moncton area.

• MAGMA has elected a representative of the OLMCs to their Board of Directors. Additionally, a MAGMA representative attends meetings of SAANB.

Nova Scotia

• Rosaline Frith, along with regional CIC senior management representatives, met with OLMC representatives from NS in April 2002 to discuss respective roles in supporting immigration to OLMCs in the province. CIC Atlantic Region has met with The Fédération Acadienne de Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE) to discuss francophone issues in NS.

• CIC, all levels of government, the NGOs, the Commissioner for Official Languages and the francophone community have been invited to participate in a special meeting to be held in conjunction with a conference on Multiculturalism planned for November 2003 in Halifax. The meeting will focus on francophone immigration to Nova Scotia.

• The Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA) met with a representative of the Conseil Communautaire du Grand-Havre in January 2003. Some of the outcomes:

  • The Council agreed to proofread the MISA newcomer's guide in French that will include information on available services in French.
  • MISA will provide the kit prepared by the Council which contains pamphlets and brochures on francophone activities (e.g. youth groups, choirs, business orientation, theatre, church, day-care, education, etc.) to all francophone immigrants accessing MISA services and will include the Council's francophone directory once it is completed.

Prince Edward Island

• CIC management met with members of francophone communities to encourage refugee sponsorship. This has resulted in one sponsorship to date (family has not yet arrived but it is anticipated that they will be living in the francophone community).

Department-Wide Progress

Principal Measure 1:

• Promote the equal status of the French and English languages in Canada.

Progress:

• The use of both official languages is promoted at all stages of the citizenship process. For example, all citizenship candidates receive literature, notices and other correspondence in their language of choice. In addition to providing services to the public in both official languages, citizenship offices are required by policy to enhance the public's understanding of Canadian values including the equality of status of both official languages. This message is further reinforced by judges in their remarks to new citizens at citizenship ceremonies.

• Addition of information on French-speaking communities in 'A Look at Canada' and in 'A Newcomers Introduction to Canada'.

• Addition of a section on official languages minority communities (OLMCs) in the brochures outlining settlement services.

Principal Measure 2:

• Encourage staff to promote services in French throughout the Department and with external contacts.

Progress:

• No progress reported.

Principal Measure 3:

• All CIC offices will display informational brochures/packages promoting OLMCs. This information will be developed and provided by the francophone organizations.

Progress:

• International Region sent a large quantity of information highlighting the bilingual character of Canada to our offices abroad; in particular, lists of the minority linguistic communities in Canada as well as a list of organizations close to these communities that promote official languages. This information is available in our missions where CIC clients can reach it directly; it is also disseminated through electronic media.

Progress (Prairies & Northern Territories):

• Meetings with immigrant sector and various funding agencies as well as with francophone communities.
• Meetings with Canadian Heritage to discuss needs of French community organizations, conducted on-site visits to service provider organizations to discuss requirements regarding services in both official languages.
• Under Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official Language Communities (IPOLC), community capacity studies were undertaken in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Similar studies were commissioned for Calgary and Saskatchewan.
• A IPOLC pilot project is being developed on youth services in Edmonton.
• A pilot project has been initiated to place two immigration settlement counsellors in the St. Boniface Bilingual Service Centre in Winnipeg in 2003-04.
• Minister Coderre participated in a day of reflection with the Manitoba francophone community on October 15, 2002.

Progress (Quebec Region):

• The Quebec region ensures that all materials and documentation are available in both official languages. There was an improvement of the visibility of services offered in both official languages.

Citizenship Sector:

• The linguistic preference of participants dictates the language of use for citizenship ceremonies and information meetings.

• This year, several ceremonies were organized in partnership with the anglophone community.

Following is a list of citizenship ceremonies for April 2002 to March 2003. School activities and National Flag Day (in partnership with Canadian Heritage):

• Citizenship ceremony at the Primary School of Carlyle in the city of Mount-Royal; Options II secondary school in the city of Emard; and the McCaig primary school of Rosemère.

Citizenship Week:

• Council of Good Citizenship of Montreal in Outremont; Karnak Shriners' in Pierrefonds; Laurier-MacDonald Secondary School in St-Léonard; and East Hill primary school in Rivière-des-Prairies.

Within the framework of Canada Day:

• Citizenship Ceremony in Alexandre Bourgeault Park in Point-Claire; and bilingual information sessions on the citizenship process.

Local Operations and Entrance Points Sector:

• Posters and literature are all bilingual;

• It is indicated that services are offered in both official languages in all buildings;

• Employees actively offer clients their choice of language for service.

Interior Service Sector:

• Information sessions were delivered by the Director of Interior Services to OLMCs on the services of the Department at McGill University, Park Extension CLSC, and other venues.

Human Resources Sector:

• Obligations and responsibilities arising from the Official Languages Act (OLA), particularly for the anglophone minorities in Quebec, are included in the region's objectives of employment and diversity.

• The majority of offices in the Quebec region are equipped with bilingual imperative services. All entrance points ensure a provision of service in both official languages; the majority of the employees have minimum linguistic abilities of BBB/BBB (functionally bilingual).

Communications Sector:

• All CIC information for clients is available in both official languages;

• The CIC Quebec region spokesperson regularly grants interviews to anglophone media on various subjects;

• Press packs are offered in both official languages; and

• Within the framework of the Missing Children Program, Quebec region held bilingual private identification clinics as well as bilingual information kiosks.

Programs Sector:

• Promotion of the statute of equality of both official languages in Canada by offering all its services in both languages;
• All regional directives delivering precise details on the application of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the programs of CIC are distributed in both official languages; and
• Information for all partners is provided in both official languages.

Integration Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• Provide documentation to Citizenship Judges.

Progress:

• Speech modules available in both official languages for the Citizenship Judges.

• Speech modules prepared for Citizenship Judges for key national events including the International day of Francophonie (March 20, 2003).

• Speech prepared for the Commissioner of Official Languages for a citizenship ceremony at the Metropolis Conference in Edmonton in March 2003.

Principal Measure 2:

• Develop a strategy with Canadian Heritage and Human Resources Development Canada.

Progress:

• Canadian Heritage and Human Resources Development Canada participate with the CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee and are taking part in developing a strategic framework in partnership with the French-speaking minority language communities.

Principal Measure 3:

• Produce integration and citizenship documents in both languages.

Progress:

• All documents intended for newcomers and the general public are available in both official languages. For example, publications on Canada and the Integration-Net website contain elements of promotion of both OLMCs and the bilingual character of Canada.

Communications Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• Continue to use the CIC style guide in external communications.

Progress:

• The CIC style guide is being used as the reference for the writing and editing of CIC communications products.
• All official CIC-wide messages sent by Communications Branch are issued in both official languages.

Principal Measure 2:

• Provide bilingual services to the media.

Progress:

• Media spokespersons in Communications Branch can speak to the media in the official language of the caller's choice.

Metropolis

Principal Measure 1:

• To maintain the presence of representatives of linguistic minorities at Metropolis national conferences.

Progress:

• During the Sixth Project Metropolis national conference (Edmonton, March 2003), the Metropolis team ensured:
  
  

  1. the presence of simultaneous interpretation for all plenary sessions at the conference and, when necessary, at some of the workshops;

  2. active participation at the conference of linguistic representatives of minority groups, leaders and members of the "National Advisory Committee on Immigration and Official Languages". Funding was made available by CIC-Integration and Heritage Canada - two Metropolis partners;

  3. the inclusion of a plenary session on "Diversity and Official Language Minority Communities" with the participation of Ms. Dyane Adam, Commissioner of Official Languages.

• Meetings of the Metropolis Interdepartmental Committee are conducted in both official languages.

Atlantic Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Continue to promote the involvement of French communities in citizenship ceremonies.

Progress:

• CIC and Canadian Heritage in Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated Flag Day at a citizenship ceremony in February 2003 involving local francophone organizations.
• The new Atlantic francophone citizenship judge will help to achieve this goal in the upcoming year.

Principal Measure 2:

• Promote the use of the Federal/ Provincial Nominee Agreements especially in New Brunswick to attract and retain francophone immigrants.

Progress:

• The provincial government of New Brunswick has hired a number of francophone staff and has begun to target specific countries such as Romania to attract francophone immigrants.

Ontario Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Contract for the translation into French of materials and reports.

Progress:

• A letter was sent to the service providers in Ontario identifying their obligation to provide services in the official language of choice to clients and that service agreements would reflect this requirement.

Principal Measure 2:

• Develop new English Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) curriculum acknowledging the French-speaking community.

Progress:

• Ontario Region has signed an agreement for the development of material addressing needs specific to immigrant elders for use in LINC classes conducted in French. It has also contracted out the French translation of 15 products relating to settlement.

Principal Measure 3:

• Improve www.settlement.org in both official languages.

Progress:

• No progress reported.

International Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Distribute information about OLMCs obtained through the Department's Official Languages Network.

Progress:

• International Region sent a large quantity of information highlighting the bilingual character of Canada to our offices abroad; in particular, lists of the minority linguistic communities in Canada as well as a list of organizations close to these communities that promote official languages. This information is available in our missions where CIC clients can reach it directly; it is also disseminated through electronic media.
• The working group on official language minority communities (OLMCs) continues to work on the development of Web pages, expressly designed to inform candidates for immigration about OLMCs. The project is under development.

Principal Measure 2:

• Establish a viable data link in conjunction with Canadian Heritage.

Progress:

• The original idea was to establish a viable link between CIC's website and that of Canadian Heritage for the placement of general information on OLMCs.

• However, the working group quickly concluded that:

1. The available information did not fill the needs of the immigrants wishing to settle in these communities; and

2. This did not correspond to the recommendation of the Commissioner of Official Languages relating to the creation of a Web site.

• The original concept was revised and the idea of creating Web pages that could include better-targeted information was developed. The development of the content for the website will be done in consultation with the OLMCs. Additionally, the Web pages would serve the dual purpose of promoting the communities in addition to being used as a tool for communication between representatives of the communities and agents of potential visa and immigrant applications.

British Columbia / Yukon Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Provide the community with information on the availability of francophone resources and services.

Progress:

• CIC/ BC-Yukon Region has for the first time partnered with the Federation des Francophones de la C.B. to host a bilingual citizenship ceremony. While the organization of this ceremony began in 2002-03, the actual ceremony was held on May 20, 2003 with Minister Coderre participating as well as 50 French-speaking new Canadians and various VIP's from the community. In February, CIC Vancouver Admissions organized a ceremony in a local high school that offers a French-immersion program. Much of the ceremony was bilingual, however, a completely bilingual ceremony was not possible due to the fact that BC region has no bilingual citizenship judges. This limits these activities to "special" events wherein bilingual judges are invited from other regions.
• CIC/ BC-Yukon Region encourages reaffirmation ceremonies in the francophone community. We continue to support these activities by supplying activity booklets (bilingual) and flags and other materials (videos, posters, and other collateral) in order to further the awareness of Canada's bilingual character.
• Vancouver International Airport (VIA) has been provided with a number of guides to Vancouver published by the OLMCs for distribution to new arrivals. Further to this, a reception contract has been signed with CANN at VIA for displaying the materials.

Principal Measure 2:

• A pilot project focused on improving services offered in designated bilingual offices in British Columbia.

Progress:

• Progress gauged by a report issued by Treasury Board in November 2002. This project made several recommendations for both federal departments and the francophone community to work on concurrently.

Principal Measure 3:

• Participate and support initiatives that promote CIC services to OLM groups such as the Societé de Développement Économique.

Progress:

• CIC BC-Yukon participates on an interdepartmental Official Languages Act Part 7 subcommittee hosted by the Department of Canadian Heritage. The committee facilitates sharing of innovative ideas and practices for service delivery as well as involvement with other areas of the province for francophone activities. A representative from the francophone community as well as from the office of the Commissioner of Official Languages sits on this committee where suggestions on how to reach the francophone community are exchanged.

Principal Measure 4:

• Contact francophone associations to establish a dialogue on CIC services.

Progress:

• CIC/ BC-Yukon region held external information briefings for stakeholders in the community on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). These sessions were held throughout the region in May and June 2002 prior to implementation. The sessions were held predominantly in English, however, the active offer to answer questions in both official languages was given at all of the Vancouver sessions and at all of the media press conferences.
• CIC pursued official language clauses in ongoing negotiations to renew the existing Canada-British Columbia immigration agreement.
• CIC/ BC-Yukon Region facilitated a visit between the CIC Director General of Selection Branch and the Fédération des Francophones de la C.B. to discuss recruitment strategies abroad. While consultations were only preliminary, the first of such meetings brought the francophone community to realize the importance of immigration to their future and to make the local immigration portfolio one of a higher priority. More work will be done on this during 2003-04 once the settlement research project has been finalized.

Department-Wide Progress

Principal Measure 1:

• Participation by representatives of OLMC organizations in public consultations undertaken by CIC on policy and/ or legislative changes.

Progress:

• CIC worked closely with OLMCs. The CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee met three times to work on the development of a strategic framework to support immigration within the French-speaking minority language communities.

Progress (Prairies & Northern Territories):

• Several meetings have been held in all three provinces and territories with the francophone community.

• Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program has been modified to specify consultations with and participation by l'Assemblée Fransaskoise.

• An official language sub-committee to the CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee established in Alberta.

• Several meetings held with the Province of Manitoba, la Société Franco-Manitobaine and the Steering Committee's Manitoba members given the provincial responsibility for settlement in Manitoba.

Progress (Quebec Region):

• The integration of both official languages within the region's priorities was reiterated with the aim of ensuring the respect and integrity of the programs of the Department.

• CIC/ Quebec Region contributes to the work of the committee on anglophone participation through the federal public service in Quebec - Conseil fédéral du Québec (CFQ). Additionally, the regional Director General sits on the official languages committee of the CFQ.

• The committee on anglophone participation developed an action plan aimed at increasing the rate of anglophone participation in the federal public service in Quebec - CFQ. CIC benefits from the promotion of employment opportunities by anglophone associations (using Internet sites and information lines).

Strategic Directions & Communications

Principal Measure 1:

• Represent CIC at meetings of the Heritage Canada-led Section 41 National Coordinators meetings and at all PCO-led policy and planning discussions related to national official languages concerns.

Progress:

• A CIC representative attended all Coordinator's meetings. Moreover, new Strategic Policy and Partnerships Branch personnel have taken the training on the implementation of Sections 41 and 42 of the Official Languages Act offered by Heritage Canada.

• A CIC representative participated in all discussions on official languages lead by PCO, including the Comité d'appui to prepare for deputy-minister meetings.

Principal Measure 2:

• Ensure senior management is briefed as necessary on both the concerns of OLMC and Government of Canada policy directions.

Progress:

• CIC's Deputy Minister is a member of the Deputy Minister's Committee on Official Languages (DMCOL). A CIC representative participated in the Comité d'appui to ensure the Deputy Minister received appropriate briefing notes and verbal briefings in preparation for meetings.

• CIC developed an accountability framework on official languages that defines and specifies the roles and responsibilities of managers and employees. The framework also places emphasis on a new partner, the Official Languages Champion, whose mandate is to improve the visibility of the Official Languages Program within the Department. The Champion meets with Directors General on a monthly basis to exchange information on official language issues and activities, including section 41.

Principal Measure 3:

• Establish processes to better coordinate regional and branch officers responsible for OLA Section 41.

Progress:

• Meetings and conference calls are held to facilitate information exchange, collaboration and a better coordination between officers responsible for the implementation of the section 41 of the OLA.

Refugee Branch

Principal Measure 1:

• Through the Immigration-Contribution Accountability Measurement System (iCAMS), collect data on government-assisted refugees' official languages knowledge and the communities in which they are settling.

Progress:

• During the year a performance measurement database (Immigration - Contribution Accountability Measurement System - iCAMS) was in the process of being developed. The database will begin to produce national-level reports in 2003-04 that show official language knowledge of the client group.

International Region

Principal Measure 1:

• OLMC information will be included in the annual Program Manager Course.

Progress:

• Information pertinent to OLMCs is now included in annual course materials for all program managers within the OLA Part VII modules of the following courses: Acts & Regulations Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course.
• All CIC Visa agents abroad are currently being made aware of the Department's commitments and responsibilities relative to Part VII of the Official Languages Act.

Principal Measure 2:

• Include OLA Part VII modules in the delivery of the Acts & Regulations Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course.

Progress:

• Information pertinent to OLMCs is now included in OLA Part VII modules of annual course materials for all program managers for the following courses: Acts & Regulations Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course.
• Our missions abroad communicate with our customers in both official languages and routinely correspond in both official languages to ensure that potential immigrants will be fully informed of the bilingual character of Canada.

Metropolis

Principal Measure 1:

• Keep stakeholders and the Commissioner of Official Languages informed about pertinent research results produced by the Metropolis Centres of Excellence.

Progress:

• CIC-Metropolis produced a well-received report titled 'Recension des Recherches Réalisées ou en Cours sur l'Immigration et les Enjeux Linguistiques au Québec et au Canada (1996-2003) ' that was given to the Commissioner of Official Languages (COL) in March 2003.
• CIC-Metropolis continues to regularly provide the COL with research findings produced by its research centres, related meeting opportunities and event descriptions (on migration and language issues)

Ontario Region (additional)

Principal Measure 1:

• No set measures.

Progress:

• A pilot project will be undertaken in partnership with Collège Boréal to provide English as a second language courses to francophone newcomers within a francophone institution, pursuant to the Official Language Commissioner's special study. The Department will be responsible for tuition only for these courses. The communities of Toronto, Windsor, Hamilton and Welland are going to take part in this pilot. The possibility of including London also exists. Collège Boréal will rent space from the francophone agencies within the above named communities.
• Employees need to better understand the francophone community in order to provide a more sensitive approach to their needs. To this end, development of a training package designed to provide some perspective should be developed as a priority to determine feasibility and achievement of expected results.

Atlantic Region

Principal Measure 1:

• Foster leadership in the francophone communities in Moncton; led by the Université de Moncton regarding the creation of an Atlantic Metropolis Centre.

Progress:

• CIC is represented on the Atlantic Metropolis Advisory Committee. Although this centre has not been funded to date, there is continued consultation with Metropolis at NHQ. Université de Moncton represents the francophone research capacity and is one of the four lead universities in the proposed centre.

Have Your Say

This progress report describes CIC's efforts to support the vitality and growth of Official Language Minority Communities and the fostering of the recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. This report is also intended as a vehicle for communicating with OLMC and with other members of the public who are interested in the implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act at CIC.

• In which ways should CIC and its programs support the vitality and development of OLMCs? What should it continue to do/ not do?
• What should CIC do to foster the recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society? What should it continue to do/ not do?
• This report describes CIC's progress in meeting its commitments during the year 2002-2003. Do you think CIC met its commitments?
• Do you have any other suggestions or comments for improving the way CIC implements its obligations under Section 41 of the OLA?

      Please return your comments to:

Dan Moorcroft
Consultant
Strategic Policy and Partnerships Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South
18^th Flr (C1867)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1L1
Telephone: (613) 954-8403
Fax:(613) 957-5940
E-mail: Dan.Moorcroft@cic.gc.ca

Annex A

Officers Responsible for Section 41 of the Official Languages Act