Highlights
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In 2003, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was designated by the Department of Canadian Heritage as one of 33 institutions that must develop and apply an action plan for implementation of section 41 of Part VII of the Official Languages Act (the Act). To ensure compliance, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (OCOL) conducted an audit of the CRTC between October 2005 and April 2006. The goal was to ensure the CRTC is meeting its obligations to support the development of official language minority communities (OLMC) and to foster the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. We appreciated the constructive dialogue with representatives of the CRTC throughout this audit.
Methodology
We examined and analysed the documentation supplied by the CRTC, as well as a number of policies, decisions and public notices that affect the institution’s areas of activity, namely broadcasting and telecommunications. We also conducted a series of interviews with senior executives, managers and a CRTC commissioner. Telephone interviews were also held with representatives of official language communities.
Observations
THE CRTC’S COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 41 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT
The CRTC adopted several measures to implement section 41. It designated the secretary general as official languages champion and appointed a coordinator for implementing section 41. However, it did not develop an official languages policy or guidelines to ensure the Act is implemented consistently as the organization carries out its mandate. Furthermore, its managers are not sufficiently aware of the CRTC’s obligations under section 41.
MEASURES AND ACTIVITIES TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 41 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT
The CRTC’s first action plan was for 2004-2005, after which it reported on its achievements to Canadian Heritage. However, the plan should have taken into account the results of structured and coordinated consultations with various official language communities as well as concrete measures to enhance the vitality and development of these communities and to promote linguistic duality in Canadian society.
A review of seven CRTC policies on broadcasting and telecommunications showed the Commission does not distinguish between the needs of the general public and the needs of official language minority communities in its policies. This makes it difficult to ensure that positive measures are taken to support and assist the development of such communities and enhance their vitality, as required by the new section 41 of the Official Languages Act, which took effect in November 2005.
CONSULTATION OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGE MINORITY COMMUNITIES
The CRTC consulted national organizations representing official language minority communities at public hearings in 2000. It also consulted some representatives of these communities in 2004 and 2005, and as we started the audit in 2006. However, the Commission had not established a specific mechanism to ensure the structured and coordinated consultation of national and regional organizations representing official language communities, to identify their broadcasting and telecommunications needs. The CRTC should also consult majority groups interested in the promotion of Canada’s linguistic duality.
