Annex 2 (translation) Letter of March 28, 1997 from Minister P. S. Pettigrew to Minister L. Harel on Language of Service
Policy & Design » LMDA Coordination and Analysis » Québec
March 28, 1997
Ms Louise Harel
Minister of State for Employment and Solidarity
425 St Amable Street, 4th floor
Québec City, Québec
G1R 4Z1
Dear Ms Harel:
Thank you for your letter of March 25 regarding the Agreement in Principle currently being negotiated between the governments of Canada and Québec on labour market development.
I would first like to stress the importance that the federal government attaches to the conclusion of this agreement. Our offer is a generous one and shows great flexibility in meeting the specific needs and priorities of Québec and of its workers and employers. I hope we will be able to conclude this agreement in the near future, thereby making available to the Québec government over $500 million per year to provide integrated and effective services for Québec's unemployed.
Access to quality programs and services for all unemployed people under federal-provincial labour market agreements is of prime importance to the Government of Canada. Your letter spells out Québec's commitments relating to the delivery of programs and services in English under the agreement.
In this context, my letter seeks to clarify and confirm the arrangements agreed upon by our two governments on the issue of language of service. Our correspondence and the reference thereto in the Agreement in Principle will constitute our accord on this matter. Allow me to reiterate the key points in this regard:
With respect to the language of service and delivery for the active employment measures covered by the agreement, your government will make these services and measures available in English in accordance with the same parameters as currently apply to employment, income security and related active measures. Thus, individuals will be served in English, both verbally and in writing, as soon as they so request. Computer information will be made available in English, on a different screen from the French version. Pamphlets, brochures and the like will be available in English and readily accessible on separate displays. Voice mail messages will provide for a number that can be dialled to continue the menu in English.
This letter also confirms the understanding between our respective negotiators to the effect that individuals who so request shall have reasonable access to the active employment measures (courses, training sessions, etc.) in English.
Moreover, Québec will make available in both French and English those functions of the National Employment Service (NES) for which it assumes responsibility.
As required and at Québec's request, Canada agrees to ensure written communications in English with corporations established in Québec which want communications in that language in the context of the administration of the active employment measures covered by the agreement and the NES functions for which Québec will be responsible.
I note that, once the agreement is signed, Québec will use appropriate means to inform clients of the arrangements made regarding service in English through pamphlets, periodic newspaper advertising, press releases or other means.
If my understanding of the way in which you will make these services available, as outlined above, concurs with yours, these arrangements are satisfactory to me and meet our legislative requirements.
I share your sentiments concerning our joint responsibility for reaching an agreement which will be beneficial to our fellow Québeckers. Your letter, mine which clarifies and confirms the arrangements with respect to language, and the reference to these letters in a clause of the agreement constitute our accord on this issue, which will be confirmed by the signing of the agreement. The resolution of this issue will allow this aspect of the negotiations between our two governments to be concluded and will thus facilitate finalizing the agreement as soon as possible.
Yours truly,
(signed)
Pierre S. Pettigrew