Official Languages committee  FedNor is responsible for delivering the economic development initiative, which is under the road map for linguistic duality, $4.45 million over the life of that program. In the last full fiscal year they delivered $1.9 million of projects 100% in francophone and minority communities for community and economic development.

Official Languages committee  Absolutely, yes.

Official Languages committee  The commissioner's report makes reference to the need for those working in economic development to understand the needs of the communities, particularly the minority language communities. Last fall we held national consultations with anglophone and francophone minority language communities, where we had all the regional agencies.

Official Languages committee  The office is bilingual.

Official Languages committee  It is more of a condition of employment. It is like a security clearance: you must have it to be hired. As regards competencies, we conduct interviews and tests on the quality and content of the work. For all bilingual positions, candidates must have the required level of bilingualism before being hired and receiving a job offer.