Evidence of meeting #49 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 report.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
March 1st, 2011 / 9:10 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chair.
Thank you, madam. Don't worry about being late. It happens, especially with the building changes that we've just experienced.
I see that the department received a "fair" rating for service to the public. It also got a "fair" rating for language of work. However, on equitable participation, it was a bit more troubling: it received a "poor" rating.
The document you just submitted to us states that francophones have some concerns regarding the preparation of documents in their language of choice and the availability of tools and materials in their official language.
Can you explain that situation to me a little?
9:10 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
In my opinion, you find that problem more or less across the public service, and I really intend to start focusing on it this year. With regard to the issue of document preparation, when we're really pressed, we prepare them in the first language of choice. Before translating them, we send them to someone, saying that the French or English will follow.
That happens because the work we do has to be done very quickly and on time. You always have to stand back a little in order to translate the documentation before sending it.
In all the work we do at the department, I focus on planning. We are generally improving our planning system. So we'll be doing things less at the last minute when it comes to translating. Documents will be translated as the work is being done.
9:10 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, it's really a matter of speed with our work. We're in such a hurry.
We have to change our work method in all our files, not just this one. Better planning will give us a better chance of eliminating this problem.
In addition, we've changed the governance system for the entire department. The new system is much more focused on planning. So all our management or governance committees now have one-year work plans. In that way, it's very easy to know what's coming so that we can plan this kind of work more effectively.
I work very closely especially with the regional general manager for Quebec, for whom this is the biggest concern. So I hope we'll have vastly improved this aspect by next year when we see each other again.
9:10 a.m.
Mitch Bloom Assistant Deputy Minister and Champion of Official Languages, Strategic Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
A year ago, I believe.
9:10 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
That's the case of the champions we've met today. It was a year or a year and a half approximately. I hope this results in a major improvement in your department.
As for translation, you say you're pressed for time. But you aren't the only department in that situation. Even at Foreign Affairs, the two official languages are an obligation.
You mentioned an action plan, but I haven't yet seen it. I'd like you to submit it soon to the extent that's possible. What aspects of that plan will result in major changes?
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
As we said, we will continue to provide active offer; that's clear. We'll also continue our efforts on employee learning, the tools we discussed, the documentation and everything pertaining to our weaknesses. We're going to focus on that without, however, losing sight of what we've done well.
9:15 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Do you offer second language training? How many people offer that kind of training at your department?
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
You're talking about the people who offer the training?
9:15 a.m.
Bloc
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I think there's one teacher here in the National Capital. However, employees have access to all kinds of other services.
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Michaela seems to want to answer that question.
9:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Corporate Services, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The Canada School of Public Service offers courses in English and in French. Sometimes if it's language training it can be offered by the private sector. We just insist that employees have the choice of taking it in their choice of language.
9:15 a.m.
Bloc
9:15 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
So people can take their training where they want.
All right, thank you.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chair.
Thank you for your presentation. I'd like to ask you how it is that the official languages are not part of your plans and priorities, as can be seen from your report on plans and priorities.
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Mitch and Michaela will perhaps provide you with a better answer, but, in my opinion, the services we offer, or the work we do with regard to official languages, is considered a subactivity. Subactivities are not addressed in the report on plans and priorities. As you know, that report describes strategic outcomes. Then there are the activities. We have a number of subactivities. Our work would appear within that. It's as much a philosophy as a work approach.
As you know, our departmental management committee meets every week. The meeting is held in French one week and in English the following week. Since we now have a work plan that covers the next 12 months, we hold important and meaningful discussions in both languages. This kind of thing cannot be included in the report on plans and priorities because it really constitutes a way of working.
Our work in the area of official languages also touches on employee learning plans. It's in the context of those plans that we determine whether they will take courses in the other official language. Our philosophy is to take action across the board rather than to determine subactivities in the area.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
How do you explain why your department does not reflect official languages in the public accounts of Canada?
9:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The answer will be the same. The public accounts are based on the activities addressed in the reports on plans and priorities. That would be difficult since all that is spread out within the department. The work of the Commissioner of Official Languages is important in that it enables us to question whether the efforts we are making department-wide are producing the results necessary to offer services to clients and employees.
