Evidence of meeting #36 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was bilingual.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
We don't have a formal complaint system. There is always a way to handle complaints, but what we've written here is that we're going to have a more formal system.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I agree with Mrs. Zarac, and I encourage you to do so from the outset, because it makes no sense for you to do it afterwards if you want to get an idea of what is going on.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
I think that's a good idea. We're going to revise the action plan. This is our first action plan, and I welcome your advice in this regard. Perhaps we can step up our efforts in this area.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Why are 10% of people not bilingual in accordance with the Official Languages Act? Why were those people hired without being bilingual. You're in the National Capital Region, and earlier you said that having people who work at the department was not a problem. When did that happen? Two years ago, seven years ago or under the previous government? Some people were given bilingual positions, but those 10% aren't bilingual.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
Pardon me, but I'm going to ask Mr. Desharnais to give you a specific answer.
Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety
Mr. Godin, the 10% are indeed employees who do not meet requirements. However, that includes employees with non-imperative appointments. So they will receive training in order to meet those requirements. Some positions are vacant or are being filled on an acting basis for short periods of time, but most of those people... Or simply, positions have been identified and people have incumbent rights to their position. So we can't compel them to meet the new standard, but we have to put measures in place.
Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety
The standard changed with the implementation of the CBC profile.
Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety
Part of the 10% comes from that.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
Not completely, for the reasons that Mr. Desharnais—
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Earlier you mentioned tools. Are you short of work instruments? Do you have the government's support? Earlier, when I asked my question, you ended your answer by saying that, if you had the tools... And you gave us no further explanation about the tools; could you do so now? What tools are you referring to?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
These are essentially tools specific to the Department of Public Safety. These are tools in our e-mail system. We now offer programs to enable people to learn how to manage a bilingual meeting. These are these kinds of things. It's not that sophisticated, but it nevertheless necessary.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Godin.
That completes our meeting. I would like to thank the witnesses on behalf of committee members. We of course encourage you to continue on the road to improvement. You provided some anecdotes on the CBC profile and the initiative for vulnerable francophone and anglophone youths, which is definitely very much appreciated. Thank you very much.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, everyone.
Members will be back next Thursday. when we'll be hearing from one witness. We'll also have committee business concerning the results of the committee's liaison meeting and mission. Thank you.