Merci, Danielle.
In the commissioner's report, he acknowledged that we've made a valuable contribution, but he also said that we need to increase our efforts to be fully bilingual. We agree.
As Danielle alluded to, the commissioner made three separate and specific recommendations as to how Vancouver International Airport can make progress with regard to hosting a bilingual games. I'm here to report on what I believe is substantial progress in this regard.
The commissioner provided us with a helpful road map in his report. Let me summarize what the commissioner has recommended we do, then highlight a few of the 24 action items we have identified. I'd like to point out that this is in fact a progress report. Our goal is constant improvement.
The commissioner recommended that Vancouver Airport Authority integrate official languages into its planning and activities for the 2010 games. One of the key actions taken by the airport authority is the appointment of the official languages liaison, who just spoke.
We've also included a segment on “active offer” in a course that targets over 26,000 people who work at YVR, and we are actively recruiting French-speaking volunteers and paid staff. The commissioner also recommended that we work with Air Canada, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Canada Border Services Agency and Toronto Pearson International Airport on a coherent official languages experience for all travellers.
We have met with all of these agencies and have worked to develop tools and reporting structures that will be used by all the players involved. We are also implementing a “mystery traveller” program to measure our performance.
Finally, the commissioner recommended that we take measures to ensure that front line personnel who will be working during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will make an active offer of service in both official languages. I am pleased to report that there will be either a verbal or visual active offer of French and English service at all points of contact throughout the airport where the travelling public may request services or information.
The airport authority will make available our Language Line service to all tenants and companies operating in the terminal, whether or not these business partners have an obligation to provide services in French and English. We have met with the management of all these companies to seek their commitment and we will continue to work with them and their corporate headquarters to ensure compliance.
I have provided you with a copy of our official languages initiatives that are completed, planned, and ongoing for the 2010 games. These have been developed in order to live up to our responsibility to welcome the world to Canada in both official languages. As you will see from that submission, we are implementing a number of initiatives during the games period, in addition to those that have been in place for many years.
We also welcome any other suggestions that you or other honourable members may bring to the forefront.
Clearly, the government has made the question of official languages and the games a priority, and it's a priority we share.
Is there still work to be done? Absolutely, but I have no doubt that when visitors arrive or depart from YVR—Vancouver International Airport—they will know they are in Canada and that we are a country of two official languages.
Employees of the airport are very proud of their airport and are excited and united with a common goal: to provide a positive and memorable experience to all airport users. The work that is happening now will create a lasting legacy at YVR.
Mr. Chair and honourable members, I would invite each and every one of you here today to join us in Vancouver in February and March of 2010 to see the pride in how we represent Canada to the world.
Merci.