Audit Results

Page 9 of 25

2. MEASURES AND ACTIVITIES TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 41 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT (cont.)

Information for Applicants, Broadcasting Licensees, Licensee Telephone Companies and Official Language Minority Communities

In the vast majority of the documents posted on its Web site in both official languages (policies, calls for applications, public notices, forms, decisions and reports), the CRTC provides services in both official languages and projects a bilingual image. However, according to the representatives of official language minority communities interviewed, that is not enough. The representatives expressed the need for more help from the CRTC in submitting a licence application or participating in a formal consultation. They said the CRTC was difficult to reach, even simply to speak to a resource person to obtain specific information. Representatives also noted that very often they did not have all the knowledge required to submit their licence applications or participate in public hearings. We believe the CRTC should take action to rectify this situation.

Recommendation 5
The Commissioner recommends that the CRTC develop an information kit for licence applicants to help them prepare applications. The CRTC should also designate resource persons who can deal with requests for administrative and technical information to facilitate access for official language minority communities. CRTC staff should in turn be officially informed of these measures.

The CRTC does not inform licensed broadcasters and telephone companies of its obligations under section 41 of the Official Languages Act, which the Commission must take into account in developing policies that affect its decisions. Currently, information to licensees is strictly limited to the licensing conditions stipulated in CRTC decisions. The CRTC should take additional measures to clearly inform applicants and licensees of its obligations as a federal institution under section 41.

Recommendation 6
The Commissioner recommends that the CRTC adopt an appropriate mechanism for informing and sensitizing applicants, licensed broadcasters and telephone companies regarding the CRTC’s obligations under section 41 of the Official Languages Act.

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