EXAMINATION OF THE INSTITUTIONS - VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA
Page 12 of 35
The VAC managers interviewed at the Department’s head office and at the Sainte-Anne Hospital demonstrated that they are well aware of the Department’s linguistic obligations in relation to the provision of health care services. In addition, VAC complies with Treasury Board Directive C in identifying significant demand from its restricted and identifiable clientele in the official language of the minority.
However, we find that the Department needs to review the language requirements of positions that provide health care to SAH patients and evaluate the language skills of their incumbents. We also noted a lack of appropriate monitoring mechanisms that would allow the Department to ensure compliance with its linguistic obligations in relation to health care services by its staff and by health professionals whom it hires on contract.
We also noted that, in several reception areas of the SAH, there was no signage indicating the availability of services in both official languages.
Finally, a number of funding agreements signed since 1993 with health services or the provinces include an appropriate language clause. However, the VAC must review the agreements signed prior to 1993 and add a language clause if necessary.
In order to ensure that equal health care is provided to its official language minority clientele, VAC must address these shortcomings by implementing the Commissioner’s seven recommendations.
