Appendix B - Showcase of Success Stories
Page 14 of 14
Dynamic leadership in official languages means excellence in the delivery of services to the public in both official languages, in the creation of a bilingual workplace and in the promotion of linguistic duality. This section highlights what some organizations have undertaken and achieved through this type of leadership.
2002-2003 Leon Leadership Award
Farm Credit Canada
For 2002-2003, the Commissioner of Official Languages is honouring the head of a small government agency in Regina, Saskatchewan. The 2002-2003 Leon Leadership Award goes to John Ryan, President and CEO of Farm Credit Canada (FCC). With this award, the Commissioner pays tribute to Mr. Ryan, who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in his efforts to integrate official languages into the culture and daily activities of his organization, going well beyond the basic requirements of the Official Languages Program.
For FCC, offering service in both official languages is more than a requirement; it's a matter of respect and good business practice. To ensure exceptional service in both official languages, FCC periodically conducts follow-up calls and on-site audits to designated bilingual offices in order to check whether they actively provide bilingual service as required (including displays, publications and voice messages) and comply with their official language obligations.
Bilingualism is part of the way of life at FCC. French is spoken regularly at meetings, in the corridors, during teleconferences and at lunchtime, not only at the Loan Administration Centre in Moncton but also at the Risk Management Centre in Kanata and corporate headquarters in Regina. Throughout the country, Francophones, Francophiles and employees taking language training regularly speak French. Employees are actively encouraged to speak their preferred language.
FCC's senior management team also believes that management support is essential to the success of any initiative. To foster a workplace that is conducive to the use of both official languages, the senior management team has designated senior positions bilingual, regardless of the fact that all senior managers work in Regina, a region not designated bilingual for language of work. Consequently, senior managers are bilingual or soon will be. In addition, FCC has introduced "French Fridays" throughout the country. On Friday, a word or expression is e-mailed to all employees, who are encouraged to speak French. Employees taking language training thus have a golden opportunity to enhance their learning experience.
In its efforts to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities, FCC's corporate office actively promotes Francophone community events to its employees and encourages them to participate in various activities. Furthermore, the organization sponsors many projects in official language minority communities and has established a national committee with an employee from each region to ensure liaison with minority language groups. The committee identifies potential partnerships, sponsorships and in-kind contributions which could benefit minority communities.
The Commissioner congratulates Mr. Ryan and the FCC for their exemplary leadership in promoting linguistic duality to the public and within the organization.
CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has developed an accountability framework that defines the roles and responsibilities of all its managers with regard to official languages. It requires all managers to report on implementation of the Official Languages Act and the promotion of linguistic duality. The accountability framework includes the terms of an agreement to increase cooperation between CIC and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. This is the first cooperation agreement signed with the Office of the Commissioner.
CIC also organizes a monthly round table during which managers with responsibilities for official languages can discuss language issues that affect the department and take any necessary action.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
In partnership with Nova Scotia Economic Development and the Collège de l'Acadie, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has helped set up a Knowledge-Based Economy Incubation Centre. The Centre makes its space and services available to the region's Francophone entrepreneurs who wish to increase their information technology activities. An excellent way to support the development of official language minority communities!
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has developed virtual campus programs for its employees in Canada and abroad. Employees can now have access to on-line language training. This initiative is particularly interesting because it facilitates access to language training outside working hours and regardless of the employee's location. This tool also helps personnel to maintain knowledge of their second language.
COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT
The Communications Security Establishment has designed an interactive decision tree on communications requirements. Employees can now consult an Intranet guide which poses questions to help them identify whether their internal and external written communications must be prepared in both languages. A good way to help staff meet their language obligations toward the public!
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has integrated knowledge of official languages into the skills profile for its positions. CMHC recognizes the importance of language skills; it assigns them a value similar to that of other skills judged necessary for properly performing the duties of a particular position. This innovative practice corresponds with the recommendations submitted by the Commissioner to the President of the Treasury Board for the entire Public Service.
CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
The Canada Council for the Arts has launched an initiative to support the development of artists in Francophone minority communities. It gives its peer evaluation committees "contextual brochures" that describe, for each arts discipline, the particular conditions that affect Canada's Francophone artists in minority communities. These background documents were drafted by the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française. The initiative has been so successful that Quebec's English-speaking community is considering adopting the model. A good way for English and French communities to get to know each other better!
CANADIAN HERITAGE
- Canadian Heritage has pursued efforts to implement its Action Plan on Language of Work: it offered information sessions to over 1,500 employees and managers to make them aware of the language of work guidelines set out in the plan. Better understanding of what constitutes a workplace favourable to the use of both official languages should promote the creation of such environments.
- Launched in the spring of 2003, the on-line language toolkit "Word Wizards" offers Canadians a new Web site that provides quick access to many language tools, facilitating writing and editing in either official language. This is an essential tool for Canadians. The project was undertaken by Canadian Heritage in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, the Translation Bureau and Industry Canada.
- The Commissioner congratulates Canadian Heritage on its support for the creation of the Prix Montfort and the gala awards presentation ceremony to recognize the achievements of Canada's Francophones and Francophiles.
INDUSTRY CANADA
In cooperation with the regional development agencies in its portfolio, Industry Canada has designed the CommunAction Web site. The site informs members of official language minority communities about the department's programs and services, and promotes their use. The initiative also seeks to make the department and agencies aware of the needs of the communities.
CANADA CUSTOMS AND REVENUE AGENCY
The Quebec regional office of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) has developed and, with the support of headquarters, is implementing a three-year pilot project to ensure better use of both official languages at the Agency. This official languages quality management system is based on the ISO standard. It includes a review of work processes and staff awareness sessions. The initiative seeks to create a bilingual workplace--and thereby a change in culture--through the involvement of all staff concerned. Treasury Board Secretariat is greatly interested in the initiative and supports the project.
The Commissioner wishes to recognize some encouraging initiatives in other sectors of Canadian society.
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
At the October 2002 Ministerial Conference on Francophone Affairs in St. John's, Newfoundland, participants from the provinces and territories created a permanent secretariat and adopted a set of principles for governmental leadership. These principles will serve as the basis for realizing their vision for Francophones to be able to live and grow individually and collectively in French across Canada.
RICHIBOUCTOU MUNICIPAL COUNCIL--Welcome, bienvenue and ëptjilaasi
In New Brunswick, the Richibouctou Municipal Council decided to "trilingualize" the municipality. It had the word "welcome" translated into Mi'kmaq in all of the city's promotional literature. Many local retailers have followed suit and now display signs in English, French and Mi'kmaq in their shop windows.
LAURIERS DE LA PME
The Commissioner congratulates the winners of the 2003 Lauriers de la PME awards competition:
- Château des Charmes
- La Savonnerie Olivier
- Lemalu Holdings Ltd.
- RégeNord Ltd.
- Scénario Design
Organized by the National Committee for Canadian Francophonie Human Resources Development,94 the competition highlights the importance to Canada's economy of Francophone businesses outside Quebec. These businesses support community development efforts and create a work environment in which staff can develop and use their language.
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
This year, a wonderful initiative came to fruition in Western Canada: the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Simon Fraser University and the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique. The university will establish a Bureau of Francophone and Francophile Affairs, and will develop a French-language undergraduate program in community development and public administration.
Notes
94 See http://gazel.ca/
