In its strategic planning document entitled “Vision 2010”, the University of Ottawa placed leadership in official languages among its top priorities. This planning exercise was guided by two values: a university engaged in the promotion of the Francophonie and a bilingual university that enhances cultural diversity. One of the results of the strategic plan was the launching of two major initiatives: the French immersion system and the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, or OLBI.
The French as a second language immersion system has been in place since September 2006 in more than 50 programs. Unique to Canada, this system allows students from immersion and basic French language programs to pursue their undergraduate studies in the discipline of their choice, while perfecting their second language skills. The diploma they receive recognizes their linguistic proficiency. We expect more than 1,200 students to be registered in the immersion system by 2010.
The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute was created in July of 2007. Its goal is to make the University of Ottawa a national and international centre of excellence for the teaching of official languages, the measurement and assessment of language skills, and language research and planning. Furthermore, with a view to playing a leadership role with other Canadian university institutions as regards research, the OLBI has established the Canadian Centre for Studies and Research in Bilingualism and Language Planning, or the CCSRBLP. This centre is intended to act as a national forum for research on language teaching and the development of language public policies and language planning strategies.
The OLBI has also established a Development and Promotion Office, one of whose responsibilities is to coordinate the marketing of Canadian expertise in Canada and abroad in the area of official languages and bilingualism. It was in this context that, in January of 2008, OLBI entered into a cooperation and exchange agreement with the Council of Europe's European Centre for Modern Languages, or ECML, and is now recognized as being the Canadian hub for the ECML. We believe that OLBI is a major tool for the federal government in implementing the Official Languages Act and promoting the Canadian approach to language in the international arena.
The University of Ottawa is not seen as an institution that is content to rest on its laurels—quite the opposite. Consequently, we would like to share with you a number of innovative initiatives that we intend to take in order to make an even greater contribution to the development of minority Francophone communities and official language learning.
Let us begin with our mobility grants. The University of Ottawa offers more than 250 programs of study in French in 10 faculties and has a generous grant program associated with the Francophonie and French immersion for its students. However, in the wake of the Accent program, mobility grants allow Francophone students registered in other Canadian universities to do part of their studies at the University of Ottawa and join the 11,000 or more Francophone students already registered there. For immersion program students registered at Anglophone universities who would like to pursue their studies or part of their studies in French, these mobility grants give them access to our French immersion system and language training that is unique in Canada, for a set period of their studies.
The second project is the Health Care Translation Program. For several years now, the University of Ottawa has offered a legal translation program which has been very successful. A health care translation program will support initiatives brought forward by the University of Ottawa and the National Health Care Training Consortium, or NHCTS, in terms of health care training and services in French for minority Francophone communities.
The third project relates to the French immersion system. More than 50 undergraduate programs are currently offered as part of the immersion system. In its development plan, the University of Ottawa makes provision for an increased number of undergraduate programs and extension of the immersion system to the graduate levels. It also includes a training program for immersion school principals.
The summer university for young official language researchers constitutes the fourth project. The area of official languages in Canada is in need of a new generation of researchers. The University of Ottawa is considering creating a summer research training program that would be led by a team of eminent Canadian researchers. Such a program is completely in keeping with SSHRC's training and research priorities.
The fifth project relates to bilingual programs in public administration, policy development and international affairs. The federal public service and some provincial public services are greatly in need of graduates in key areas who have a mastery of both official languages. The University of Ottawa is currently developing an action plan intended to increase the number of programs where bilingualism would be a condition of graduation, so that graduates enter the job market with a working knowledge of the two official languages.
The next topic is language planning training and support. With a view to helping Canadian institutions to develop language and language planning policies, the University of Ottawa is currently studying the possibility of creating a Chair in Language Planning Studies at the OLBI, as well as launching a Master's degree in language policy.
I would just like to mention one final project, which is the Canadian Observatory on Official Languages. The role of official languages in Canada and the resulting level of activity in all segments of society warrants the creation of a Canadian Observatory on Official Languages. The University of Ottawa and the OLBI would be pleased to consider such a pan-Canadian initiative and coordinate its implementation, in concert with the main government players and civil society.
Thank you.