Achievement Report 2009–2010: Implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act

Meetings of the Official Languages Discussion Network

General awareness-building activities (workshops, special events, articles in Bulletin 41–42 and This Week @ IC) carried out in partnership with the Communications and Marketing Branch, the Human Resources Branch and other units.

Information sessions on section 41 were offered to increase program managers' awareness and understanding and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act. Support for functional units helped them to meet their obligations under section 41 of the Official Languages Act.

Support for functional units helped them to meet their obligations under section 41 of the Official Languages Act

An article appeared in Bulletin 41–42 (Canadian Heritage) about Industry Canada's achievements in providing support for OLMCs.

New Industry Canada employees participated in orientation sessions.

The Champion communicated regularly with departmental staff about active offer of services to the public.

An internal Economic Development Initiative (EDI) committee was set up to discuss the needs of OLMCs and proposed projects.

The senior management team sent an email on requirements of the Official Languages Act and the active offer of services.

Awareness sessions were offered to management and staff on the topic of section 41 requirements within the region.

The Regional Executive Director's office produced corporate messages in English and French, promoting regular communications in the Region by staff. Tools were made available to assist all employees with the active offer of service.

Ongoing monitoring was conducted of bilingual offerings (website, phone service, etc.) and promotional materials.

All managers and employees received reminders about their obligations regarding the active offer of service.

Awareness sessions were held on roles and responsibilities for program management and service delivery.

Bilingual offices and personnel providing service to the public were clearly identified. A strategy was developed to fulfill official language obligations.

Tools were provided to assist employees with services to the public, including templates to develop bilingual email messages and telephone greetings.

All community and regional Francophone newspapers are monitored.

The Region celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act.

Effective liaison services were established between the OLMCs, Quebec Region and CED-Q.

On September 10, 2009, a celebration of linguistic duality served to remind all employees in the Region of the importance of the Official Languages Act.

The Regional Executive Director tabled departmental performance results on official language requirements and active offer service for discussion at a Regional Management Team meeting on June 4, 2009. The aim was to increase awareness, encourage directors to remind their managers/staff of official language requirements, and ensure compliance with the active offer of service.

The Regional Executive Director highlighted the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act in the November 2009 issue of the regional newsletter, Connections. The focus was on how the Act has evolved and had a positive influence on the public service.

The Manitoba Communications Advisor routinely forwards to all Winnipeg staff information bulletins provided by local Francophone organizations.

Employees better understand section 41 of the Official Languages Act.

Both official languages are used increasingly in the workplace.

Annual consultations with representatives of OLMCs

Participation in the work of consultative bodies organized by central agencies and other departments through government and representatives of OLMCs to discuss priorities and needs. These include the National Committee of Economic Development and Employability and the National Human Resources Development Committee for the English Linguistic Minority in Quebec

• RDÉE Canada, a national Francophone economic development network — 2 formal meetings and informal discussions
• Association des Francophones du Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario — 3 meetings, February, June and November 2009
• Club Canadien Français de Thunder Bay — 1 meeting, June 2009
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Francophone Affairs Unit, West Campus, Thunder Bay —   meetings, June and September 2009
• Regroupement des organismes francophones de Thunder Bay — 2 meetings, May and August 2009
• Greenstone Economic Development Corporation (a Community Futures Development Corporation) — 2 meetings, April and June 2009
• Centre Ontarien de prévention des agressions — 1 meeting, June 2009
• Superior-Greenstone Community Inclusion — 1 meeting, August 2009
• Municipality of Greenstone — 2 meetings, June and August 2009
• Comité d'ajustement communautaire de Dubreuilville — monthly meetings
• Comité d'ajustement communautaire du nord-ouest — 1 meeting, June 2009
• Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations, Diversity Committee — annual meeting and quarterly teleconferences
• Northeast Development Network—1 meeting, October 2009
• Committee of Northern Ontario departments and agencies, Kapuskasing — quarterly meetings
• Council of Northern Ontario departments and agencies — 4 to 6 meetings annually
• États généraux de la francophonie du Grand Sudbury — sectoral table on arts, culture and heritage (quarterly meetings) and sectoral table on the economy (3 meetings, October, November and December 2009)
• Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne — 1 meeting, January 2010
• Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières (school board supervising the two Francophone secondary schools in the Temiskaming area) — 1 meeting, January 2010
• Direction Ontario — several informal discussions
• Jeux de la Francophonie du Grand Sudbury, 2011 — ongoing discussions about the event
• Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario — meeting in the Temiskaming area, April 2009
• Centre de santé communautaire du Témiskaming — informal discussions
• International Plowing Match, Temiskaming, Francophone committee — formal and informal participation
• Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens — formal meeting, May 2009
• Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne and North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation — workshop planning meeting, March 2010
• Collège Boréal, Sudbury, New Liskeard and West Nipissing — informal discussions
• Caisse populaire de Bonfield — informal meeting
• Alliance de recherches universités communautés — formal meeting, November 2009

• the Section 41 Network
• the Day of Reflection, celebrating 40 years of linguistic duality in New Brunswick, with the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Chief Human Resources Officer of the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Creation of a comprehensive Industry Canada communications and marketing plan

Targeted communications and marketing activities regarding the implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act

Updating of the Industry Canada CommunAction website

The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) distributed bilingual information at "Business, Government Services and You" outreach events in Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Oshawa, Markham, Ottawa, Windsor, London and Sault Ste. Marie.

The COBSC distributed a quarterly bilingual newsletter to all its service delivery partners, including bilingual sites.

By distributing bilingual information, the COBSC strengthened partnerships with organizations serving entrepreneurs and raised awareness of its ability to offer services in both official languages.

The initiative increased outreach opportunities through government program partners with Francophone organizations at the community level.

French-language Case Studies sessions and IP Basics presentations were offered at the University of Ottawa, Université Sainte-Anne, Université de Moncton and New Brunswick Community College campuses.

English-language IP Basics presentations were offered at Trinity College in Gatineau and the Montreal Entrepreneurship Centre.

French-language IP Basics presentations were offered to companies via the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba and the Chambre de commerce francophone de Halifax.

CIPO was an exhibitor at Expocommerce in Pointe-de-l'Église, Nova Scotia, and also at the Congrès mondial acadien — Espace 2009, in Pokemouche, New Brunswick.

CIPO promoted its products and services while taking part in fairs or events to give OLMCs a better knowledge of intellectual property. For small and medium-sized enterprises located in OLMCs, it offered one- to two-hour individual IP information sessions.

25 Anglophone students in Gatineau and 30 Anglophone business people in Montréal have a better knowledge of intellectual property.

20 French-speaking business people in Manitoba and 12 Francophone companies in the Halifax area have a better knowledge of intellectual property, supporting better decision making.

677 business people or other participants from OLMCs have a better knowledge of the issues and advantages of intellectual property.

Small and medium-sized enterprises have a better knowledge of intellectual property and can make better strategic decisions. CIPO can better understand the intellectual property needs of small and medium-sized enterprises located in OLMCs.

The Sector participated in various interdepartmental committees, including the National Human Resources Development Committees for Anglophone and Francophone linguistic minorities, the Interdepartmental Research Committee on Community Economic Development, and the Network of National Section 41 Coordinators.

The Official Languages Champion and Co-Champion participated in various committees, such as the Committee of the Assistant Deputy Ministers on Official Languages and the Network of Departmental Official Languages Champions.

• National Economic Development Initiative coordinators — monthly meetings
• Network of National Section 41 Coordinators
• Interdepartmental Management Committee for the Official Languages Program
• Committee of Northern Ontario departments and agencies — 4 meetings in 2009, 1 meeting in 2010
• CALDECH working group — 2 meetings
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada — Provincial Interdepartmental Committee on Immigration

The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) coordinated "Business, Government Services and You" outreach events in collaboration with Small Business Enterprise Centres in Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Oshawa, Markham, Ottawa, Windsor, London and Sault Ste. Marie.

Coordination facilitated the participation of government partners. The result was greater awareness of government programs and services available to entrepreneurs.

Partners received up-to-date, relevant information about COBSC programs and services in English and French.

The Atlantic Region continues to work and liaise with industry associations and other OLMC networks across the four Atlantic provinces. The aim is to build relationships, raise awareness and facilitate discussion on programs and services.

For example, the Atlantic Region is a supporter of Avancement pédagogique des technologies de l'information et de la communication en Atlantique. Staff members attend events and meetings with this organization.

Best practices are increasingly shared.

Management and reporting processes have been strengthened.

The Sector participates in the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality committees, such as the Committee of Assistant Deputy Ministers on Official Languages, the Interdepartmental Policy Committee, the Interdepartmental Management Committee for the Official Languages Program, and the Coordinating Committee on Official Languages Research.

Overall, in 2009-10, the Program supported 980 sites in OLMCs across Canada.

CAP has 81 networks across the country, providing representation and service for the majority of OLMCs. With their many projects, research activities, training and employment opportunities, and other activities, the networks contribute to the economic development of communities across the country, including OLMCs.

CAP funding has strengthened partnerships with OLMCs. The result is that the needs of Francophone communities are better met.

CAP and the Computers for Schools Program provide financial assistance to OLMCs.

FedNor delivered the following programs in 2009–10:

• Northern Ontario Development Program
• Community Futures Development Corporations
• Economic Development Initiative
• Community Adjustment Fund—Budget 2009 initiative

In 2009-10, 67 of the 313 projects approved (21%) benefited the Francophone community. This was a sharp increase from 2008-09, when 35 of the 319 projects approved (close to 11%) benefited Francophones.

The Northern Ontario Development Program invested $1.6 million in Francophone communities in 2009-10, up from $466 453 in 2007-08 and $1.5 million in 2008-09.

FedNor continued to provide additional funding to Community Futures Development Corporations, specifically in support of official language requirements.

Twenty-three communities in Northern Ontario (census subdivisions) benefited from projects directly supporting OLMCs.

The Region provided funding to OLMC organizations, including Avancement pédagogique des technologies de l'information et de la communication en Atlantique.

The Department is also a member of various Francophone organizations and societies.

The Region hired consultants to conduct two studies in spring 2008, yielding results that remain useful for medium- and long-term projects in OLMCs:

• partnership projects and needs analysis in language training to improve employee bilingualism in Québec City and surrounding areas
• Business and Community Vitality Index Model

The Quebec Region provides advisory services to OLMCs. For instance, the Region was able to refer the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation of Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière to Canada Economic Development for a collaborative project with the Community Futures Development Corporations.

The Region implements recommendations and suggestions stemming from research conducted on Industry Canada's behalf. An example is the creation of a linguistic best practices guide by the Québec Multilingual Committee.

The Region participated in a planning exercise financed by the OLMC Unit of the Regional Operations Sector under the Economic Development Initiative. The project applied the Business Vitality Index model to the community of Campbell's Bay in the Outaouais.

Initiative funding for OLMCs throughout Ontario delivered by FedNor through the Northern Ontario Development Program

Industry Canada and the regional development agencies will lead a coordinated research effort on OLMCs' economic development. This will include an economic framework policy for OLMCs

The needs of OLMCs are addressed through EDI.

Thirty-nine projects were developed.

• development of a research plan
• monograph on OLMC economic development research
• targeted consultation with Francophone entrepreneurs across Canada
• purchase of socio-economic data from Statistics Canada
• with Statistics Canada, development of a conceptual framework for OLMCs' socio-economic development
• assessment of the research plan
• conducting of an OLMC socio-economic analysis, based on the 2006 Census
• joint projects of Industry Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: promoting OLMC participation in the knowledge-based economy; case study on economic self-determination
• Business Vitality Index—training material for trainers and Campbell's Bay assessment
• targeted consultations with Anglophone small and medium-sized enterprises in Quebec
• economic integration services for Francophone immigrants in OLMCs

Presentation of key achievements related to the implementation of section 41 in annual reporting documents

Assessment of the impact of Industry Canada's performance in meeting the requirements of section 41

The 2009-10 Achievement Report was produced and distributed.

A working committee was established to deal with the CALDECH decision follow-up.

The Sector provided the departmental contribution for the Scorecard of the Commissioner of Official Languages.

The Sector contributed to the official languages quantitative review.

Indicators are better used to assess section 41 implementation.

Tools are available to manage the risks related to official languages.

The Department increased its teamwork capacity to take into account OLMC needs and report accordingly.

Using target group indicators, FedNor continues to collect information on activities within the Francophone population of Northern Ontario.

OLMC needs and current activities are better understood.

FedNor began reviewing the official language action plan for Community Futures Development Corporations.

FedNor developed a new internal policy regarding the application of official languages to a project or activity.

This activity is under way. It is expected to offer better support to Community Futures Development Corporations so that they can meet the requirements for official languages and reporting.

The OLMC perspective continues to be present in FedNor planning. As called for in FedNor's business plan, the following activities were implemented:

• FedNor continued liaison with OLMCs through existing national, provincial and regional forums.
• FedNor required designated bilingual Community Futures Development Corporations to provide services of equal quality in both official languages, and to consider the needs and priorities of OLMCs in their action plans.

As FedNor creates more awareness among management and staff, it becomes more natural to look at activities and projects from an OLMC perspective.

Official language clauses in contribution agreements are currently being reviewed with the support of Industry Canada's Legal Services.

Consistent language is expected to lead to clearer expectations.

Senior managers' performance accords reflect commitments related to compliance with official language policies. The executive director and senior managers are accountable for their performance relating to official language obligations.

Official language concerns are integrated into strategic planning for sectors and regions, ensuring bilingual capacity where required.

The Region reviewed management practices to ensure understanding and adherence to official language obligations.

Official language commitments have been successfully implemented, as called for in the performance accords.

Work with the regional development agencies in summarizing performance data to create a twice-yearly report on the execution of the EDI.

The Sector coordinated the development of the intermediate and final performance results and indicators for EDI within the Roadmap.

Reporting on EDI was timely.

The Sector collaborated with the regional development agencies to collect information for reporting purposes.

An evaluation of the EDI started in August 2010.

Work with FedNor and the regional development agencies to establish performance indicators and evaluate the execution and effects of the EDI, using the scheduled evaluations of the programs through which the EDI has been implemented

The EDI falls under the terms and conditions of the Northern Ontario Development Program. Previous evaluations have shown that the Program has had a positive impact on the Francophone population (summative evaluation, 2006). Past evaluations have also shown that the Program's current terms and conditions are effective. FedNor has previously funded a number of Francophone-related projects under the Northern Ontario Development Program and the Community Futures program, and these have been successful in achieving results.

Branch representatives attended the EDI for OLMC meetings throughout the year.

The Branch provided advice and guidance on how to evaluate the performance of the EDI.

Advice, guidance and evaluation will improve understanding of how best to serve the needs of OLMCs.