Evidence of meeting #92 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was employees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
What is your organization's plan to give others the opportunity to become bilingual?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
As I mentioned a little earlier, we have an annual budget and we offer several options to employees who wish to learn French as a second language. However, we give priority to incumbents in designated bilingual positions to ensure that we meet these criteria. So, when there's a choice to be made, depending on our organization's capacity, that's what we focus on.
On the other hand, employees can access online resources and have other opportunities to work on their French. We try to inspire employees to improve their language skills. I mentioned the KUDO application earlier. When we hold meetings with the whole organization, we automatically use this app, which allows teams, whether they're made up of bilingual or unilingual participants, to hold the meeting together, at the same time, and get the information in the language they understand best.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Ms. Hendricks and Ms. Cassie, how should the government manage language skills needs in regions where services are primarily received by the linguistic majority? For example, should the same obligations apply in all provinces and regions to the same extent, or should it depend on the needs of each region?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
As you know, my role is not necessarily to offer a perspective or opinion on this. However, I can tell you that, when the organization makes investments and shows an effort, we see an interest on the part of unilingual English-speaking employees to learn French. That's the approach FCC is taking to meet these demands. First and foremost, however, we must ensure that we serve French-speaking communities in all Canadian provinces.
On the other hand, there are tools and approaches we can take. For example, we have two call centres, one in Atlantic Canada and the other in western Canada. We have more French-speaking resources in the Atlantic than in the west, as you can imagine. However, these two centres have joined forces to ensure that all calls from francophones are answered, no matter where in Canada they originate. We therefore adopt such approaches to meet demand and satisfy customer needs.
President, Société de la francophonie manitobaine
I would just add that these language rights are fundamental. In our view, no matter where you are, access to federal government services in both official languages is a right. We're working in a very concerted way to count bilingual municipalities and find ways to offer a wider range of services, but this is a question of fundamental rights.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
I imagine the fact that people can now work remotely has helped a lot.
Are you able to share with us some data comparing the situation before the advent of virtual work and now?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
I don't have the exact figures to hand, but we can certainly provide the committee with some data in writing.
I'll provide some context in relation to a situation that everyone has experienced. It used to be a challenge for organizations to see how hybrid working could be as effective as traditional working. However, since the COVID‑19 pandemic, we've seen a new trend: some positions that used to be located only at head office in Regina are now being filled by people who weren't necessarily in Regina. Indeed, today, people who don't necessarily live in Regina can apply and work from another province or city.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Thank you very much, Ms. Hendricks.
All the committee members will be happy to see this data, I think.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Ms. Hendricks, I would ask you to forward this data to the clerk, who will pass it on to all members of the committee.
Thank you, Ms. Koutrakis.
I now give the floor for six minutes to Mr. Beaulieu, the Bloc Québécois representative and second vice-chair of the committee.
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank the witnesses for being here.
Ms. Hendricks, you say that 90% of your senior management positions are bilingual. How many positions are we talking about? Also, how do you define knowledge of French and what level of knowledge do you require?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
I'd like to clarify that it's 80%, not 90%. If I misspoke...
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
That is okay.
The senior managers are division heads, and there are nine of them, including myself, as president and CEO.
Could you repeat your second question?
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Being bilingual implies knowledge of French. What level of knowledge do you require? If someone doesn't know French, are you still going to agree to hire them, but ask them to take language training?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
In the last three years, things have changed a bit. Five years ago, the percentage of bilingual people in the senior management team at FCC was much lower.
Accepting a non-bilingual candidate to fill a designated bilingual position would be an exception. At the time of the job offer, we would require or ask the candidate to take French courses. Before granting this exception, however, we would need to have tried to fill the position on at least two occasions. We need to see if the talent really exists outside Regina.
To tie in with your colleague's question, things have changed over the past three years. Previously, these positions were only available in Regina, which sometimes caused several additional challenges.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
You mention Regina because that's where the head office is located, but do you have offices across Canada?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
The FCC head office is located in Regina and has about 1,000 employees—it's probably the largest employer in Regina. The remaining 1,400 employees work in 103 offices across Canada.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I see.
You say that, in general, 14% of positions are bilingual, but 20% of Canada's population is French-speaking. Do you think the number of bilingual positions could be higher?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
As I mentioned, there's still progress to be made. We have a three-year plan.
When I say that 14% of positions are bilingual, I'm talking about designated bilingual positions. These positions are mostly customer service positions.
To give you an idea, Quebec has an 18% market share. In order to have a contingent of employees who can meet the criteria, we have designated positions to ensure that French-speaking customers and stakeholders can access services in French.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
If you really focus your designated bilingual positions on customer service, does that mean the working language is English?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
That's not necessarily the case. As I mentioned, all correspondence from my office is always bilingual, and we use the KUDO application.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
I have a translation team which is very busy.