Evidence of meeting #48 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 languages.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
As regards all employees at the department, 46% currently hold positions that are designated bilingual. Of the people in those positions designated bilingual, 98% meet the requirements of the position.
The other 2% are made up of people who have been appointed under bilingual non-imperative procedures and who subsequently have two years to reach the level. These people are on training or are following another plan to ensure that they meet the requirements.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Do you also provide training to the other 54%? Is it mandatory?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
No, people who ultimately want access to training can have it, namely for scientific positions where there is not necessarily an interaction with the public. These people may well want access to training, be it for their work environment or their career opportunities. It is certainly open to everyone.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
This will be my final intervention, Mr. Chairman.
Earlier, you referred to Canadian Heritage which, in your view, does not have the same requirements. I think all departments have the same requirements. All departments must respect both official languages and the act. You must do so too. You have a great deal of work ahead of you.
Do you intend to report your progress to the commissioner on a quarterly, biannual or annual basis? It is a wonderful action plan, but implementing it is not necessarily easy.
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
I would agree with that. I would simply say that our obligations under the act are exactly the same as those of Canadian Heritage. I was referring to a previous impression, namely that we did not necessarily have the same responsibilities under part VII. I do believe, nevertheless, that we have the same responsibilities.
For instance, the annual employee survey will enable us to determine whether or not there has been any progress. So this will be an important tool. We will, of course, be having a conversation with the departmental management committee, at least on an annual basis, to see where we are with respect to the plan. However, I also believe that we will be able to provide ongoing follow-up through the various committees and champions in our sectors.
In addition, we need to strengthen leadership at every opportunity. I did so last week during the first meeting held for all of the departmental managers. I raised this issue then. I clearly emphasized the importance of the role that each and everyone of us plays in promoting official languages in the department.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Ms. Guay.
We will continue with Mr. Gravelle.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
How do you explain the fact that, according to the most recent public accounts, your department does not do any reporting on official languages?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
When you say public accounts, do you mean the departmental financial statements?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
That would depend on the way that the $950,000 expenditure that I referred to earlier is accounted for. Obviously, this expenditure must be accounted for in the financial statements. I cannot tell you point-blank under which heading this figure would go. However, I can check on that information.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
So you will check on that and get back to us with the information.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
But how do you explain the fact that, in your departmental performance report, you do not account for official languages?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
That is a good question for which I do not have a good answer. Please allow me to deal with the matter in the future.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Do you have to follow specific instructions when you prepare your official languages action plan?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
I will answer that question the way Ms. Biggs did. The commissioner has already provided a framework outlining the main objectives. The act itself is, of course, the main framework. We then adapt the plan based on our requirements, our own circumstances and our performance review.
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Mr. Deputy Minister, can you recall which official languages topics were discussed at the committee on which you sit?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
As Ms. Biggs stated, Mr. Fraser met with us during a deputy ministers' breakfast. I believe that was shortly before his report was tabled. We also attended a meeting organized by the Treasury Board secretary, Ms. d'Auray. She had also invited the commissioner to attend. We discussed, in particular, part VII of the Official Languages Act. That was in January. It was very recent. I myself met with the commissioner on December 16.
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
Yes, I can certainly provide you with a summary of the discussion. I had asked Ms. Paquin, who is accompanying me today, to draft a summary. I can certainly provide you with the summary of the discussion with Mr. Fraser. I can check with Ms. d'Auray as to whether or not she has the minutes for that meeting with the commissioner. As Ms. Biggs said, generally speaking, no minutes are prepared for deputy ministers' breakfasts. But I could perhaps, at the very least, obtain the exact date and the agenda. I will ascertain what I can share with you in that regard.
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
As I told you, I will do so providing that the minutes do in fact exist and that I can share them with you. These are not necessarily meetings that I personally called.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
How do you coordinate official languages within the deputy minister committees?
Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources
There are some generally informal meetings between the champions of the various departments. The Treasury Board secretary organizes a discussion to guide our activities and response to the official languages commissioner's report, particularly with respect to part VII of the Official Languages Act. There are not necessarily any deputy minister committees that meet at regular intervals, but the champions do hold meetings that can take place at the deputy minister level, as I already mentioned.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
How often do you discuss official languages with the deputy ministers?