Evidence of meeting #52 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was french.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Maimone, you talked about ways of improving one's written French. Many people speak both official languages, but are not comfortable writing one of them. Even though I studied in French at university, I do not feel up to the task of writing in French. Writing well in French is a special talent.
What level of training is available?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
We offer training at all levels. There are courses for beginners, maintenance courses, and development courses. It depends on the person's proficiency level. At the initial meeting, the person tells the teacher their objectives. We then develop the course based on the person's objectives.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Your intensive training is often short-term. It is a maximum of six hours per day, up to five days per week.
How many members are taking that intensive training?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
In fiscal year 2016-17, there were 60 people in immersion.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Since when have you offered the program to members of parliament?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
One moment please. We have a technical problem.
Until I get the go ahead to continue, I would like to welcome Alexe and Charlotte, Ms. Holke's children.
We will now pick up from where we left off.
You have the floor, Mr. Parent.
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
The program dates back to the early days of the Official Languages Act. We were one of the forerunners.
At the beginning, we used to send members for immersion, primarily at the training centre at the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. We used the facilities and the school there. Things evolved over time. As to how the administration became more involved, that is not entirely clear. In any case, since the college at Saint-Jean closed its facilities in the early 1990s, we have taken on a greater role. In other words, the program administered by the House of Commons has existed in its current form since roughly the early 1990s.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
I am reading here that employees and members' spouses have access to the training.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Do many such people, spouses in particular, take training?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
In 2016 and 2017, two spouses took our training. We also provided training to at least 60 or so assistants.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Does your program include an evaluation component?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Absolutely.
When someone signs up for training, if it is a new learner, we invite them to do a placement test. That test serves to evaluate the person's knowledge of grammar and their oral proficiency. We then place the person in a group, based on their proficiency level and objectives.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
The training is 12 weeks long. For the beginner and intermediate course, there are 48 hours of training. For more advanced courses, it is two hours per week for a total of 36 hours.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Is the training for employees who work in Ottawa only?
There are often employees in the ridings who want to take training.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
We are not necessarily the ones who organize training for employees in the ridings. That said, they often call us for advice. When they send us names of schools, we can advise them on which ones to choose. In addition, we can refer them, since there are schools that we work with in the ridings.
Liberal
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank the witnesses for coming to talk about language training for members, a very important service that is also offered to their spouses and assistants. Very interesting.
First of all, I would like to pick up on what Mr. Lefebvre said earlier about the report tabled this morning by the interim commissioner of official languages. The report talks about services in both official languages, including during airport screening. I will table the following motion, which could be discussed...
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
If I may, Mr. Choquette, I would like to clarify that Mr. Lefebvre said...
One moment please.
NDP
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
“That the Committee invite the Interim Commissioner of Official Languages...”