Official Languages Committee on Nov. 29th, 2016

[Marc Tremblay]

The policy on results has clear and precise requirements that apply to the overall financial management of institutions.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Do all reports from institutions include a section on accountability for official languages?

[Marc Tremblay]

There are no specific official language requirements. However, the reports are based on program elements. So there are several elements of the official languages program that the departments report directly. Take, for example, the Department of Canadian Heritage. This department has program elements for official languages. Reports are produced under Treasury Board policies and therefore include those particular expenses.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

There isn't much time left.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you, Mr. Tremblay.

We'll now turn to Ms. Lapointe.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I have finished. The rest will be for another time.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Good morning, I'm pleased that you are here with us this morning. I have so many questions for you.

Mr. Tremblay, are the reports Mr. Choquette is talking about available? Would we be able to ask the clerk and researchers to obtain those reports?

[Marc Tremblay]

Absolutely.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Okay. I have other questions for you.

On page 5 of the famous report that you presented to us, it deals with the language of work of public servants. On page 6, there's a graph showing that meetings are often or almost always bilingual.

Have you administered this type of questionnaire to each province?

[Marc Tremblay]

The departments—

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

That's too long, it means no.

[Marc Tremblay]

The departments report on the regions designated bilingual. In terms of the language of work, the province is not—

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Let me continue.

[Marc Tremblay]

—relevant.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Page 7 deals with bilingualism. What are your requirements for public servants to be bilingual? I know there's a rating system, A, B, C, or E for exemption. In your view, what does it mean for an official to be considered bilingual?

[Marc Tremblay]

It depends on the Treasury Board policies and the tests administered by the Public Service Commission.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

What is it? Is it B? Is it C?

[Marc Tremblay]

It's different. Being bilingual means having the language skills required for the position.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Okay.

For instance, when you hold meetings, you say that they are bilingual. That's not indicated by province. You cannot tell me based on what—

[Marc Tremblay]

It's indicated by regions designated bilingual.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

A little further on, it says that, in 2015, there were 75,000 public servants who met the requirements of bilingualism. Even further on, it says that there are 181,000 public servants in all regions. Is that right?

[Marc Tremblay]

I have indicated that the data are from the 2014-15 report. I'm not in a position to give any details on accountability from the previous round. However, I can tell you that some 95% of incumbents of bilingual positions meet the language requirements of their current position.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

You're telling me that you cannot tell me which officials—

[Marc Tremblay]

I'm here to talk about accountability in general. We were asked to come and talk to you about that.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

You are with the Treasury Board Secretariat.