Thank you, Jacques.
I am extremely delighted to be here today. I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and all the members of this Committee for inviting me to discuss our progress with respect to official languages.
As Jacques has mentioned, we've made significant progress since our last appearance. The commissioner's report and the Senate report informed us and provided us guidance with their recommendations. They helped us to determine where to focus our efforts in the final months as we move towards the games. We are now faced with having 99 days left.
We are currently working with the federal government's Translation Bureau to partner in the delivery of an outstanding games, most particularly in the area of translation. The translation that we will be partnering with them on takes us right through both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We've seen the numbers of our bilingual volunteers increase. We're quite excited by that. We're seeing young people join us in the volunteers who are also young francophones. Our signage, as Jacques has said, also reflects the equality of the two languages, French and English.
These are significant developments that have improved since the last time we were in front of you. It's important that VANOC deliver games that are distinctly Canadian, games that reflect who we are as Canadians. That we will accomplish this, I have no doubt.
And what will this bilingual experience be like?
It means that all Canadians will be able to hear, see, touch and feel our linguistic duality throughout the games. It means that people who are coming to Vancouver during the games will have the choice to be served in French or in English.
Just imagine yourself, for a moment, as a spectator arriving in Vancouver. You will be greeted by our enthusiastic volunteers at the airport. You will get directions to your venue in French or English. Your ticket, your spectator guide, and your printed games materials will all be bilingual.
When you attend an official event with us, whether it's a sport competition or a medal ceremony, you will hear commentaries in French and then English. You will also find your way throughout the venues--to the information booths, to the food concessions, and to the toilets--in French or in English. In the evening you will see live shows in French and you will see ceremonies in both English and French. Your overall experience can and will be bilingual.
In western Canada, Vancouver in particular is a multicultural city. As a multicultural city with major influences from our Asian neighbours across the Pacific Ocean, we celebrate that multiculturalism. But in the midst of that multiculturalism, the backdrop we will ensure is that all relevant touch points in the games theatre will have sufficient bilingual volunteers to provide service both in French and in English. This is our promise to Canada.
We have set a higher bar for future Olympics with several firsts, including signing a collaborative protocol back in 2006 with the francophone communities across Canada. We also ensured that we had a senior director, Francine Bolduc, heading a separate function related to official languages, which was never before done in the Olympic Games. We created a board advisory committee on official languages under the guidance and advice of the Commissioner of Official Languages. As Jacques described to you, that has been a very effective decision.
Most recently, in August we signed a convention with the international francophone community. Jacques has described for you some of the international influence that will have and some of the legacy that we will benefit from with that agreement. But one of the firsts of that agreement is that we have a commitment that the Grand Témoin will not only witness French and the activation of French in the Olympic Games but also in the Paralympic Games for the first time.
But what is of even greater importance to us than this experience that I've described for you are the legacies, some of which Jacques has spoken about. The success of these games will truly be measured for years to come.
This was a major consideration throughout our planning, including the planning for official languages. Over the last several years, working with our francophone partners, the Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue and the FFCB in British Columbia, we have helped facilitate a dialogue across this country amongst the francophone communities. We've made connections. We've brought people together. That is what the Olympic spirit is all about. I am proud of the accomplishments.
We have listened to your advice and to the advice of the commissioner and Senate members. We have listened, we have made changes, and we've made great steps and strides, particularly in the last year.
Our connections remain strong. Our relationship with the federal government remains strong. This relationship has been extremely helpful to us and will continue to be helpful in these final 99 days.
Along with the opportunity of these games to present a great experience to Canadians comes great responsibility.
We will deliver Games that reflect Canada's two official languages. Canadians will be proud.
Thank you.