Ottawa, May 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commissioner Fraser’s First Annual Report – The government must translate its words into action
Despite Prime Minister Harper personally setting an example by using both official languages, the government is not living up to its commitment in this area, Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages, said in his first annual report presented to Parliament today.
"Prime Minister Harper's public behaviour is exemplary in terms of respect for Canada's official languages," Fraser said, noting that Josée Verner, Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, had expressed the government's support for the amendments to the Official Languages Act and the Action Plan for Official Languages. "Unfortunately, the government's actions over the last year have not reflected these public statements."
In 2005, the Official Languages Act was enhanced with the amendment to Part VII requiring federal institutions to take positive measures to promote linguistic duality, and support the development of official language minority communities. According to the Commissioner, “Although this amendment was approved by Parliament, government action to date casts doubt on its genuine commitment to implementing this Act.” The most telling example in the Commissioner’s report is the announcement of budget cuts last fall, which abolished initiatives such as the Court Challenges Program.
The Commissioner is also concerned about the fate of the Action Plan for Official Languages, which was adopted in 2003. This plan provides for investments over five years in such critical sectors as education in the language of the minority, second language teaching, health and language training in the public service. However, in the report, the Commissioner observes that by eliminating the Innovation Fund created to increase the bilingual capacity of the public service, and by making other cuts within departments, the government has reduced the capacity of federal institutions to fully implement the Action Plan. “Although the government indicated that the Action Plan represented its minimum commitment to official languages, its actions have directly hindered the implementation of this plan. I have some serious questions about the government’s overall vision in this area,” the Commissioner stated.
The current plan expires on March 31, 2008, and the Commissioner urges the government to act quickly and announce an initiative to succeed the plan and consolidate achievements. Mr. Fraser is very much aware of the growing concern among various players who wonder about the government’s intentions in this area. He believes that the recent injection of $30 million in new money over two years to support official language minority communities can hardly replace a plan that would promote major activities in several strategic areas.
As for the performance of federal institutions regarding service to the public and language of work, the minimalist approach of certain departments and recent trends mentioned in the Commissioner’s report seem to indicate somewhat of a regression and are quite worrisome. “I fear that this apparent lack of will weakens the application of the Official Languages Act within the federal public service,” said the Commissioner.
In this context, some data presented in the performance report cards for federal institutions are troubling. Overall, in spite of the institutions’ commitments, which are now more apparent in their strategic plans, the availability and quality of services offered in both official languages have not been improved and, in some cases, performance has even worsened. “If, in addition to losing some of the necessary tools required to offer high-quality service, the federal public service has reason to doubt the government’s commitment to official languages, then I fear that this backsliding could accelerate,” added Mr. Fraser.
In highlighting Canadians’ very strong support for official languages (about 70%), the Commissioner urges the federal government to take advantage of upcoming opportunities during the next year to prove its commitment and leave its mark in this area. This involves developing an initiative to succeed the Action Plan, making implementation of Part VII of the Official Languages Act a government priority, and setting the tone regarding service to the public and language of work, starting by incorporating these basic principles in the current public service modernization process.
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The Commissioner’s recommendations are enclosed.
The Annual Report and a series of backgrounders are available on our Web site. To receive a printed copy of the report, please call 613-996-6368 or 1-877-996-6368.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Robin Cantin
Manager, Media Relations
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Telephone: 613-995-0374
Cellular: 613-324-0999
Toll-free: 1-877-996-6368
E-mail: robin.cantin@ocol-clo.gc.ca
COMMISSIONER’S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Commissioner recommends that the Minister for Official Languages, in cooperation with the communities, provinces and territories, create an initiative, over the coming year, that will succeed the Action Plan for Official Languages and consolidate what has been gained. During the design process, the federal government must carefully consider expanding the scope of the Action Plan to include, in particular, arts and culture, youth initiatives and new measures for promoting linguistic duality.
The Commissioner recommends that the Minister for Official Languages review the Official Languages Accountability and Coordination Framework, not only in light of the changes made to official language governance, but also to better reflect the obligations and responsibilities of federal institutions following the legislative amendments of November 2005.
The Commissioner recommends that the Minister for Official Languages ensure Canadian Heritage review its accountability mechanisms for the implementation of sections 41 and 42 of the Act in order to place more emphasis on results.
The Commissioner recommends that the Minister for Official Languages ensure Canadian Heritage take a more transparent approach in the implementation of section 41 of the Act when determining the institutions that have the most significant impact on communities and on the promotion of linguistic duality.
The Commissioner recommends that deputy heads in federal institutions ensure that front-line employees and all agents who respond to client enquiries actively offer services in both official languages at first contact in order to enhance the use of the public’s official language of choice.
