Follow-up study to Doorway to the World: Linguistic Duality in Canada’s International Relations
The status of Canada’s official languages in our international relations is an issue of great interest to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Between October 2006 and September 2007, the Office undertook a follow-up to the study Doorway to the World: Linguistic Duality in Canada’s International Relations. That study, published in 2004, dealt with the place of linguistic duality in issues affecting Canada’s international relations.
Status of recommendations
The purpose of this follow-up study is to determine to what extent the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Canadian Heritage (PCH) and the Privy Council Office (PCO) have implemented the 29 recommendations made in the 2004 study. Overall, 10 recommendations were implemented, 14 were partially implemented and five were not implemented.
Findings
In sum, the Commissioner believes that the follow-up study shows mixed results. While we note progress in a number of areas, the follow-up study reveals a number of deficiencies and lukewarm leadership regarding the coordination and direction of policies and programs. The Commissioner would like to see a more comprehensive and integrated approach taken towards the management of official language programs, with the objective of promoting Canada’s linguistic duality abroad.
New recommendations
The Commissioner has formulated 10 new recommendations and proposed four new deadlines for implementing the recommendations made in 2004. In doing so, he urges the federal departments and agencies responsible for promoting Canada’s linguistic duality internationally to show the necessary leadership to comply with the new requirements of Part VII of the Official Languages Act, under which federal institutions must take positive measures to foster the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.
Institutional performance
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Of the 23 recommendations issued to the Department in 2004, seven were implemented, 12 were partially implemented and four were not implemented.
The Commissioner applauds the Department’s efforts in the following areas:
- the international Francophonie;
- cultural diversity;
- awareness of the importance of linguistic duality among rotational and locally recruited staff;
- certain aspects of the Canadian Studies Program;
- language requirements for senior public servants appointed to foreign postings;
- evaluation and verification; and
- the Department’s intention to hire an official languages advisor.
However, the Commissioner notes significant shortcomings regarding the overall vision and coordination of official languages. The Commissioner formulated eight new recommendations to the Department, the main one being that it develop a strategic framework for official languages in Canada’s international relations.
Canadian Heritage
Of the four recommendations issued to the Department in 2004, two were implemented, one was partially implemented and one was not implemented.
The Commissioner applauds the Department’s efforts to include linguistic duality in the following areas:
- cultural diversity;
- TV5; and
- commercial and cultural activities.
The Commissioner would like Canadian Heritage to continue its efforts in these areas and in particular continue to work with its provincial partners to achieve the greater participation of Francophones from all parts of the country in TV5.
The 2004 recommendation made to both PCH and DFAIT, regarding the full participation of the Francophone community in the institutions of the Francophonie, was implemented. The Commissioner also believes that there should be more sustained collaboration between PCH and DFAIT to promote Canada’s linguistic duality. A new recommendation addresses this issue.
Privy Council Office
The Commissioner directed one recommendation to both DFAIT and the Privy Council Office in 2004 to ensure that appointments to Canada’s senior representative positions abroad meet the CBC level for second-language skills. This recommendation was implemented by DFAIT but was not implemented by PCO.
The Commissioner notes that PCO does not impose the same language standards as DFAIT on individuals appointed by the Governor-in-Council as ambassadors or heads of mission, despite the recommendation made to this effect in 2004. He has formulated a new recommendation for PCO on this matter.
