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2002-2003
REPORT ON PROGRESS
ON SECTION 41 OF THE
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT
General
Information
Executive Summary 2002-2003
First Objective
To facilitate
the settlement and integration of newcomers into Canada's Official Language
Minority Communities (OLMCs)
Second Objective
To promote the awareness of OLMCs and Canada's bilingual character
among CIC's clients and the general public
Third Objective
To ensure
the interests of OLMCs are considered in the development of policies and
programs.
Have
Your Say
Annex
A - Officers Responsible for Section 41 of the Official
Languages Act
GENERAL
INFORMATION
The Department
of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
The objective of
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is to ensure that the movement of people
into Canada and membership in Canadian society contributes to Canada's
social and economic well-being while protecting the health, safety and
security of Canadians. Citizenship and immigration policies and programs
are managed in a fashion consistent with Canada's domestic needs and capacities
while fulfilling our international commitments and responsibilities toward
persons in need of protection.
Mission
CIC's mission is
to build a stronger Canada by:
- Deriving maximum
benefit from the global movement of people;
- Protecting refugees
at home and abroad;
- Supporting the
settlement, adaptation and integration of newcomers; and
- Managing access
to Canada.
Objectives
CIC's objectives
are to:
- Contribute to
Canada's economic growth;
- Contribute to
Canada's social and cultural enrichment;
- Protect the health,
safety and security of Canadians;
- Meet international
humanitarian commitments;
- Encourage participation
of newcomers in Canadian society; and
- Foster national
pride and awareness of rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Objectives
re:
Official Languages Minority Communities (OLMCs)
IRPA objectives pertinent
to OLMCs include the following:
- To support and
assist the development of official languages minority communities in
Canada; and
- Supports the
commitment of the Government of Canada to enhance the vitality of Canada's
English and French linguistic minority communities.
Contact
For general information
on Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we can be reached at:
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 18th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
Telephone:(888) 242-2100
K1A 1L1
Internet: http://www.cic.gc.ca
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY 2002-2003
This annual Report
on Progress measures Citizenship and Immigration Canada's progress on
implementing Section 41 of the Official Languages Act during the
fiscal year 2002-2003. Progress is measured against Principal Measures
that were identified in the Action Plan for the same period. In fulfilling
its commitment to fostering the development and vitality of the official
language minority communities, CIC has taken steps to enable those communities
to share in the economic and social benefits of immigration to Canada.
Section 41 of the
Official Languages Act affirms the responsibility of CIC and all
federal departments, agencies and Crown Corporations to give effect to
the Government of Canada's statutory commitment to:
enhancing the
vitality of the French and English linguistic minority communities
and supporting and assisting their development; and
fostering the
full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.
Over the past year,
significant progress has been made by CIC in implementing the objectives
outlined in the Official Languages Act. For example, CIC has worked
toward the inclusion of official languages clauses in various cooperation
agreements signed over the past year clearly signalling the Department's
desire to effectively implement its obligations under Section 41 of the
Act. Many of the Department's actions of the past year have 'set the stage'
for future progress toward enabling the greater understanding of and further
adoption of official language objectives.
On June 28, 2002,
the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the accompanying
Regulations came into effect, reflecting the first major overhaul of the
immigration and refugee system in 25 years. CIC used this opportunity
to create a new objective on official languages; to support and assist
the development of official language minority communities in Canada. Many
departmental employees have received IRPA training providing them with
a good working knowledge of the new rules, procedures and systems - inclusive
of approaches to incorporating official language considerations in daily
applications. As anticipated, official language considerations are receiving
increased prominence.
Highlights of
CIC's progress over the past year include:
- Signing of the
Canada-Manitoba Immigration Agreement. A key feature in the agreement
is the introduction of a new approach in which both Citizenship and
Immigration Canada and the province of Manitoba will determine the number
of Provincial Nominee Program candidates, including Francophones;
- Further to the
objectives in the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), new clauses
were being negotiated on official languages that have been added to
the draft Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-operation on Immigration;
- Official language
clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreements were amended
to be more fully in accordance with the Official Languages Act;
- The elimination
of pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas will increase
the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities,
including OLMCs;
- Refugee profiles
have been posted on a secure website to inform sponsorship agreement
holders of refugees requiring sponsorship, thus facilitating selection
of those who are best suited to the sponsoring community;
- CIC-BC/Yukon
region held information briefings for external stakeholders in the community
on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. These sessions were held
throughout the region in May and June 2002 prior to implementation;
and
- During the year
a performance measurement database (Immigration - Contribution Accountability
Measurement System - iCAMS) was in the process of being developed. The
database will begin to produce national-level reports in 2003-04 that
show the official language knowledge of the client group.
FIRST OBJECTIVE
To
facilitate the settlement and integration of newcomers into Canada's
Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs).
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Department-Wide
Progress
Principal Measure
1:
Progress:
Publication
of phase 1 of the capacity study assessing the ability to accommodate
newcomers in main urban centres of Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton,
Winnipeg, Ottawa, Sudbury and Moncton.
Study in progress
on the capacity (phase 2) of five French-speaking minority communities
to accommodate newcomers and the perception of these communities
vis-a-vis immigration in urban and semi-rural environments.
Initial development
of a strategic framework in partnership with the French-speaking
minority communities.
Other:
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Preparation and
delivery of questions and answers for service provider organizations
abroad on new clauses concerning official languages in contribution
agreements as well as questions & answers (Qs&As) for CIC
employees.
Purchase and
development of tools for information delivery by service provider
organizations such as bilingual posters, pins and printed information
panels.
Development of
an evaluation grid for assessing services provided in French and identification
of new models of French-language service provision.
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
Workshop held
at national meeting in February 2003 to define the demand for services
in both official languages.
Two presentations
on official languages and the initiatives of the Department at the
Policy and the Operations Committee of CIC.
Presentation
on the various official language initiatives of the Department to
a meeting of the program officers of the Prairies/ NWT Region.
Principal
Measure 4:
All citizenship
ceremonies will reflect Canada's linguistic duality and Official Language
Minority Communities (OLMCs) will be invited to participate either
as hosts, guest speakers, or by assisting in the organization of special
receptions.
Progress:
The citizenship
ceremony is an opportunity to reinforce Canadian values including
linguistic duality. To the degree appropriate, judges are encouraged
to address remarks in both official languages.
Speech modules
prepared for citizenship judges for International day (March 20, 2003)
and International Week of Francophonie.
Speech prepared
for the co-chair of the community component of the CIC-Francophone
Minority Communities Steering Committee.
Speech prepared
for the head of the Community sub-committee of the CIC Management
Committee on French-speaking minority language Communities.
Principal
Measure 5:
Progress:
An Interdepartmental
Committee on Citizenship Promotion, co-chaired by CIC and Canadian
Heritage, was created. A first meeting was held in January 2003 and
a comprehensive calendar of key national events (including Citizenship
week) is being developed. Common messages and themes will be identified
for the promotion of these events.
Principal
Measure 6:
Progress:
Progress
(Prairies & Northern Territories)
Signing of Canada-Manitoba
agreement. A key feature in the agreement is the introduction of a
new approach in which the number of Provincial Nominee Program participants
would be determined by both Citizenship and Immigration and the province
of Manitoba. The agreement recognizes the commitment by Manitoba to
deliver settlement services in both official languages, to consult
with representatives from the Francophone community on recruitment
initiatives for the Provincial Nominee Program, and to work to increase
the number of francophone immigrants to Manitoba.
Sensitization
meetings with the Francophone community and service providers held
in both Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta - and will continue.
Sub-committee
of the National CIC-Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee
established. First meeting will be in 2003-04.
CIC staff have
been involved with negotiating and implementing pilot projects under
the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official Language Communities
(IPOLC), Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program and Host agreements
with the community as well as generally assisting communities to develop
the capacity to welcome, integrate and retain French speaking newcomers.
Progress
(Quebec Region):
Integration
Branch
Principal Measure
1:
Progress:
Initial development
of a strategic framework in partnership with the minority language
French-speaking communities.
Publication of
phase 1 of the capacity study assessing the ability to accommodate
newcomers in main urban centres of Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg,
Ottawa, Sudbury and Moncton.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Inventory and
summary of studies and research that addresses linguistic issues by
Metropolis to be completed in 2003-2004.
Joint development
and delivery with the Commissioner of Official Languages of a workshop
on immigration and the French-speaking communities delivered at Metropolis
conference in March 2003.
Meeting and exchanges
between Metropolis, the Network for research on French-speaking Canadians
and representatives of the French-speaking communities.
Refugee
Branch
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
Official language
clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreement were amended
so that they are more fully in accordance with the Official Languages
Act.
This will help
ensure that agreement holders engage in the promotion of official
languages and service to the public in both official languages.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
The elimination
of pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas will increase
the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities.
This action will ensure that refugees, including Francophone refugees,
are destined to communities where they will best be able to integrate
using their preferred official language.
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
Refugee profiles
have been posted on a secure website to inform sponsorship agreement
holders of refugees requiring sponsorship. This action will allow
sponsorship agreement holders to select refugees who are best suited
to the sponsoring community given the refugees' linguistic and cultural
backgrounds, among other factors.
Principal
Measure 4:
Progress:
Communications
Branch
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
British
Columbia / Yukon Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
In addition to
this, the BC/Yukon Region struck a regional subcommittee to complement
the national steering committee and to further develop a local strategy.
Participants include the Federation des Francophones de la Colombie
Britannique, Province of British Columbia (two different reps) and
members of the francophone community. This subcommittee met on many
occasions to discuss steps on how to sensitize and engage the francophone
community in immigration settlement issues.
The regional
sub-committee helped design a community project for the purpose of
furthering the Phase 1 capacity study conducted by the FCFA. This
project, which evaluated the capacity of francophone communities,
showed many deficiencies in welcoming and integrating new French speaking
arrivals. A regional project/study was developed in partnership with
the provincial government, the francophone association and CIC. The
Province of BC, CIC and Heritage Canada jointly funded this project.
This project began in the 2002-03 fiscal year and will run into 2003-04
with consultations taking place in the fall of 2003. The objective
of the study is to identify gaps in services and then develop an action
plan that would enhance settlement services in Vancouver for French-speaking
immigrants.
Other
Progress:
During this fiscal
year, CIC BC Yukon was instrumental in encouraging the BC Government
to send a representative to attend the Steering Committee meetings.
As a result, a provincial representative is actively participating
and bringing a different perspective to the table. Engaging the BC
Government toward implementing any changes to the delivery of services
to French-speaking 'new arrivals' has become imperative since the
devolution of services to the province.
CIC participated
in a presentation by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
on its report entitled: "Official Languages and Immigration: Obstacles
and Opportunities for Immigrants and Communities." CIC then had opportunities
to present information to the participants, including education, employment
and the characteristics profile of the francophone community of Vancouver.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Official language
clauses have been added to external service provider contracts that
were concluded during this fiscal year.
Continue to work
bilaterally with other regions (e.g. Manitoba) to share best
practices.
Further to the
objectives of the Immigration Refugee Protection Act, CIC pursued
official language clauses in ongoing negotiations to renew the existing
Canada-British Columbia immigration agreement. These new clauses set
the stage for the Province of BC to assist in the development of official
language minority communities in Canada and enhance their vitality
through service delivery. In addition, the new clauses would further
oblige the BC Government to consult with the minority language community
in BC around provincial nominee issues.
Ontario
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
CIC consulted
with the francophone communities in Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury and London/Windsor
in the Summer of 2002. Consultations were followed up by working sessions
in the same communities in the Fall of 2002. The purpose of the consultations
and working sessions was to get a feel for the pulse of the community,
the needs and the types of partnerships with settlement agencies that
would address the requirements of francophone newcomers to these communities.
In each of the
four community areas, representatives were asked to sit down together
to develop the concepts of projects to be presented to the Ontario
region sub-committee - francophone minority communities. They were
given information with respect to the specific criteria that they
would have to follow, one of which was that the project must work
to unify the community.
In Toronto, the
organizations wanted to explore the feasibility of putting in place
a francophone community agency based on a model similar to that of
"Skills for change" in order to help the integration of
newcomers on the job market. The francophone community in Toronto
launched another concept related to the introduction of reception
and settlement infrastructures in order to create a reception centre
for francophone newcomers.
In Sudbury a
need was identified for a one-stop service to provide information
on all community services. Services to francophone newcomers are limited
and are provided by small agencies that received no funding assistance.
In London/Windsor
a proposal was made for the creation of a reception service specializing
in providing reception, settlement and integration services to newcomers
in Southwestern Ontario.
The issues of
the francophone community in Ottawa are quite significant. Prior to
developing any concepts or projects, a need has been identified by
the department to set up a regular ISAP agency.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
A recommendation
has been made to set up an ISAP Agency in Ottawa to offer direct settlement
services to francophone newcomers. The call for proposals will be
launched in July and we expect the agency to be set up in September.
In London, the
Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) has conducted
an assessment of the needs of French speaking immigrants and refugees
and the reception capacity of the London region. A project for funding
has recently been sent for review to the Ontario Region sub-committee
by the ACFO London/Sarnia.
A consultant
will be contracted in July 2003 to continue the work in Sudbury and
Toronto and help developing projects. The consultant will also provide
the department with recommendations.
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 4:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 5:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 6:
Progress:
Principal Measure 7:
Progress:
Atlantic
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Additional
Progress:
New Brunswick
Work towards
the establishment of a tri-partite committee consisting of
NB (Provincial departments), Canada (ACOA, PCH, HRDC & CIC)
and the OLMC (SAANB, Université de Moncton (UdeM) etc).
This committee meets regularly to support, monitor and evaluate
OLMC projects. Two project proposals have been developed and presented
to the committee. Both were approved in principle. Joint funding
formulas are to be determined during June 2003.
Proposal from
U de M to establish a pilot project focused on international francophone
students. The project estimated at $200,000 over two years would
allow students to work with francophone companies off campus including
a mentorship program.
Proposal from
SAANB with an estimated cost of $104,000 to increase the capacity
of the francophone community to welcome and integrate francophone
immigrants to New Brunswick and specifically to the Greater Moncton
area.
Nova Scotia
Rosaline Frith,
along with regional CIC senior management representatives, met with
OLMC representatives from NS in April 2002 to discuss respective roles
in supporting immigration to OLMCs in the province. CIC Atlantic Region
has met with The Fédération Acadienne de Nouvelle-Écosse
(FANE) to discuss francophone issues in NS.
CIC, all levels
of government, the NGOs, the Commissioner for Official Languages and
the francophone community have been invited to participate in a special
meeting to be held in conjunction with a conference on Multiculturalism
planned for November 2003 in Halifax. The meeting will focus on francophone
immigration to Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward
Island
SECOND OBJECTIVE
To
promote the awareness of OLMCs and Canada's bilingual character
among CIC's clients and the general public.
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Department-Wide
Progress
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
The use of both
official languages is promoted at all stages of the citizenship process.
For example, all citizenship candidates receive literature, notices
and other correspondence in their language of choice. In addition
to providing services to the public in both official languages, citizenship
offices are required by policy to enhance the public's understanding
of Canadian values including the equality of status of both official
languages. This message is further reinforced by judges in their remarks
to new citizens at citizenship ceremonies.
Addition of information
on French-speaking communities in 'A Look at Canada' and in 'A Newcomers
Introduction to Canada'.
Addition of a
section on official languages minority communities (OLMCs) in the
brochures outlining settlement services.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
International
Region sent a large quantity of information highlighting the bilingual
character of Canada to our offices abroad; in particular, lists of
the minority linguistic communities in Canada as well as a list of
organizations close to these communities that promote official languages.
This information is available in our missions where CIC clients can
reach it directly; it is also disseminated through electronic media.
Progress
(Prairies & Northern Territories):
- Meetings with
immigrant sector and various funding agencies as well as with francophone
communities.
- Meetings with
Canadian Heritage to discuss needs of French community organizations,
conducted on-site visits to service provider organizations to discuss
requirements regarding services in both official languages.
- Under Interdepartmental
Partnership with the Official Language Communities (IPOLC), community
capacity studies were undertaken in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Similar studies
were commissioned for Calgary and Saskatchewan.
- A IPOLC pilot
project is being developed on youth services in Edmonton.
- A pilot project
has been initiated to place two immigration settlement counsellors in
the St. Boniface Bilingual Service Centre in Winnipeg in 2003-04.
- Minister Coderre
participated in a day of reflection with the Manitoba francophone community
on October 15, 2002.
Progress
(Quebec Region):
- The Quebec region
ensures that all materials and documentation are available in both official
languages. There was an improvement of the visibility of services offered
in both official languages.
Citizenship Sector:
Following is a list
of citizenship ceremonies for April 2002 to March 2003. School activities
and National Flag Day (in partnership with Canadian Heritage):
Citizenship Week:
Within the framework
of Canada Day:
Local Operations
and Entrance Points Sector:
Interior Service
Sector:
Human Resources Sector:
Obligations and
responsibilities arising from the Official Languages Act (OLA),
particularly for the anglophone minorities in Quebec, are included
in the region's objectives of employment and diversity.
Communications Sector:
Programs Sector:
- Promotion of
the statute of equality of both official languages in Canada by offering
all its services in both languages;
- All regional
directives delivering precise details on the application of the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Act and the programs of CIC are distributed
in both official languages; and
- Information for
all partners is provided in both official languages.
Integration
Branch
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
Speech modules
available in both official languages for the Citizenship Judges.
Speech modules
prepared for Citizenship Judges for key national events including
the International day of Francophonie (March 20, 2003).
Speech prepared
for the Commissioner of Official Languages for a citizenship ceremony
at the Metropolis Conference in Edmonton in March 2003.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
Communications
Branch
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
- The CIC style
guide is being used as the reference for the writing and editing of
CIC communications products.
- All official
CIC-wide messages sent by Communications Branch are issued in both official
languages.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Metropolis
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
- During the Sixth
Project Metropolis national conference (Edmonton, March 2003), the Metropolis
team ensured:
the presence
of simultaneous interpretation for all plenary sessions at the
conference and, when necessary, at some of the workshops;
active participation
at the conference of linguistic representatives of minority groups,
leaders and members of the "National Advisory Committee on Immigration
and Official Languages". Funding was made available by CIC-Integration
and Heritage Canada - two Metropolis partners;
the inclusion
of a plenary session on "Diversity and Official Language Minority
Communities" with the participation of Ms. Dyane Adam, Commissioner
of Official Languages.
- Meetings of the
Metropolis Interdepartmental Committee are conducted in both official
languages.
Atlantic
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
- CIC and Canadian
Heritage in Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated Flag Day at a citizenship
ceremony in February 2003 involving local francophone organizations.
- The new Atlantic
francophone citizenship judge will help to achieve this goal in the
upcoming year.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Ontario
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
International
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
- International
Region sent a large quantity of information highlighting the bilingual
character of Canada to our offices abroad; in particular, lists of the
minority linguistic communities in Canada as well as a list of organizations
close to these communities that promote official languages. This information
is available in our missions where CIC clients can reach it directly;
it is also disseminated through electronic media.
- The working group
on official language minority communities (OLMCs) continues to work
on the development of Web pages, expressly designed to inform candidates
for immigration about OLMCs. The project is under development.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
The original
idea was to establish a viable link between CIC's website and that
of Canadian Heritage for the placement of general information on OLMCs.
However, the
working group quickly concluded that:
The available
information did not fill the needs of the immigrants wishing to
settle in these communities; and
This did not
correspond to the recommendation of the Commissioner of Official
Languages relating to the creation of a Web site.
The original
concept was revised and the idea of creating Web pages that could
include better-targeted information was developed. The development
of the content for the website will be done in consultation with the
OLMCs. Additionally, the Web pages would serve the dual purpose of
promoting the communities in addition to being used as a tool for
communication between representatives of the communities and agents
of potential visa and immigrant applications.
British
Columbia / Yukon Region
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
- CIC/ BC-Yukon
Region has for the first time partnered with the Federation des Francophones
de la C.B. to host a bilingual citizenship ceremony. While the organization
of this ceremony began in 2002-03, the actual ceremony was held on May
20, 2003 with Minister Coderre participating as well as 50 French-speaking
new Canadians and various VIP's from the community. In February, CIC
Vancouver Admissions organized a ceremony in a local high school that
offers a French-immersion program. Much of the ceremony was bilingual,
however, a completely bilingual ceremony was not possible due to the
fact that BC region has no bilingual citizenship judges. This limits
these activities to "special" events wherein bilingual judges are invited
from other regions.
- CIC/ BC-Yukon
Region encourages reaffirmation ceremonies in the francophone community.
We continue to support these activities by supplying activity booklets
(bilingual) and flags and other materials (videos, posters, and other
collateral) in order to further the awareness of Canada's bilingual
character.
- Vancouver International
Airport (VIA) has been provided with a number of guides to Vancouver
published by the OLMCs for distribution to new arrivals. Further to
this, a reception contract has been signed with CANN at VIA for displaying
the materials.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
Principal
Measure 4:
Progress:
- CIC/ BC-Yukon
region held external information briefings for stakeholders in the community
on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). These sessions
were held throughout the region in May and June 2002 prior to implementation.
The sessions were held predominantly in English, however, the active
offer to answer questions in both official languages was given at all
of the Vancouver sessions and at all of the media press conferences.
- CIC pursued official
language clauses in ongoing negotiations to renew the existing Canada-British
Columbia immigration agreement.
- CIC/ BC-Yukon
Region facilitated a visit between the CIC Director General of Selection
Branch and the Fédération des Francophones de la C.B.
to discuss recruitment strategies abroad. While consultations were only
preliminary, the first of such meetings brought the francophone community
to realize the importance of immigration to their future and to make
the local immigration portfolio one of a higher priority. More work
will be done on this during 2003-04 once the settlement research project
has been finalized.
THIRD
OBJECTIVE
To ensure the interests of OLMCs are considered in the development
of policies and programs. |
Department-Wide
Progress
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
Progress
(Prairies & Northern Territories):
Progress
(Quebec Region):
Strategic
Directions & Communications
Principal
Measure 1:
Progress:
A CIC representative
attended all Coordinator's meetings. Moreover, new Strategic Policy
and Partnerships Branch personnel have taken the training on the implementation
of Sections 41 and 42 of the Official Languages Act offered
by Heritage Canada.
A CIC representative
participated in all discussions on official languages lead by PCO,
including the Comité d'appui to prepare for deputy-minister
meetings.
Principal
Measure 2:
Progress:
CIC's Deputy
Minister is a member of the Deputy Minister's Committee on Official
Languages (DMCOL). A CIC representative participated in the Comité
d'appui to ensure the Deputy Minister received appropriate briefing
notes and verbal briefings in preparation for meetings.
CIC developed
an accountability framework on official languages that defines and
specifies the roles and responsibilities of managers and employees.
The framework also places emphasis on a new partner, the Official
Languages Champion, whose mandate is to improve the visibility of
the Official Languages Program within the Department. The Champion
meets with Directors General on a monthly basis to exchange information
on official language issues and activities, including section 41.
Principal
Measure 3:
Progress:
- Meetings and
conference calls are held to facilitate information exchange, collaboration
and a better coordination between officers responsible for the implementation
of the section 41 of the OLA.
Refugee
Branch
Principal
Measure 1:
- Through the Immigration-Contribution
Accountability Measurement System (iCAMS), collect data on government-assisted
refugees' official languages knowledge and the communities in which
they are settling.
Progress:
- During the year
a performance measurement database (Immigration - Contribution Accountability
Measurement System - iCAMS) was in the process of being developed. The
database will begin to produce national-level reports in 2003-04 that
show official language knowledge of the client group.
International
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
- OLMC information
will be included in the annual Program Manager Course.
Progress:
- Information pertinent
to OLMCs is now included in annual course materials for all program
managers within the OLA Part VII modules of the following courses: Acts
& Regulations Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher
course.
- All CIC Visa
agents abroad are currently being made aware of the Department's commitments
and responsibilities relative to Part VII of the Official Languages
Act.
Principal
Measure 2:
- Include OLA Part
VII modules in the delivery of the Acts & Regulations Course as
well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course.
Progress:
- Information pertinent
to OLMCs is now included in OLA Part VII modules of annual course materials
for all program managers for the following courses: Acts & Regulations
Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course.
- Our missions
abroad communicate with our customers in both official languages and
routinely correspond in both official languages to ensure that potential
immigrants will be fully informed of the bilingual character of Canada.
Metropolis
Principal
Measure 1:
- Keep stakeholders
and the Commissioner of Official Languages informed about pertinent
research results produced by the Metropolis Centres of Excellence.
Progress:
- CIC-Metropolis
produced a well-received report titled 'Recension des Recherches Réalisées
ou en Cours sur l'Immigration et les Enjeux Linguistiques au Québec
et au Canada (1996-2003) '
that was given to the Commissioner of Official Languages (COL) in March
2003.
- CIC-Metropolis
continues to regularly provide the COL with research findings produced
by its research centres, related meeting opportunities and event descriptions
(on migration and language issues)
Ontario
Region (additional)
Principal Measure 1:
Progress:
- A pilot project
will be undertaken in partnership with Collège Boréal
to provide English as a second language courses to francophone newcomers
within a francophone institution, pursuant to the Official Language
Commissioner's special study. The Department will be responsible for
tuition only for these courses. The communities of Toronto, Windsor,
Hamilton and Welland are going to take part in this pilot. The possibility
of including London also exists. Collège Boréal will rent
space from the francophone agencies within the above named communities.
- Employees need
to better understand the francophone community in order to provide a
more sensitive approach to their needs. To this end, development of
a training package designed to provide some perspective should be developed
as a priority to determine feasibility and achievement of expected results.
Atlantic
Region
Principal
Measure 1:
- Foster leadership
in the francophone communities in Moncton; led by the Université
de Moncton regarding the creation of an Atlantic Metropolis Centre.
Progress:
- CIC is represented
on the Atlantic Metropolis Advisory Committee. Although this centre
has not been funded to date, there is continued consultation with Metropolis
at NHQ. Université de Moncton represents the francophone research
capacity and is one of the four lead universities in the proposed centre.
Have
Your Say
This progress report
describes CIC's efforts to support the vitality and growth of Official
Language Minority Communities and the fostering of the recognition and
use of both English and French in Canadian society. This report is also
intended as a vehicle for communicating with OLMC and with other members
of the public who are interested in the implementation of Section 41 of
the Official Languages Act at CIC.
- In which ways
should CIC and its programs support the vitality and development of
OLMCs? What should it continue to do/ not do?
- What should CIC
do to foster the recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian
society? What should it continue to do/ not do?
- This report describes
CIC's progress in meeting its commitments during the year 2002-2003.
Do you think CIC met its commitments?
- Do you have any
other suggestions or comments for improving the way CIC implements its
obligations under Section 41 of the OLA?
Please return your comments to:
Dan Moorcroft
Consultant
Strategic Policy and Partnerships Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South
18th Flr (C1867)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1L1
Telephone: (613) 954-8403
Fax:(613) 957-5940
E-mail: Dan.Moorcroft@cic.gc.ca
Annex
A
Officers Responsible
for Section 41 of the Official Languages Act
Senior Official
|
CIC Co-ordinator
|
John McWhinnie
Assistant
Deputy Minister
Centralized Services Delivery and Corporate Services
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South
20th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1A1
|
Dan Moorcroft
Consultant
Strategic Policy and Partnerships Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South
18th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
National Co-ordinators
|
Denyse Brisson
Refugee
Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South,17th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
Peter Duschinsky
International
Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South,16th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
Micheline
Doiron
Integration
Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower North, 5th Floor
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
Lucie Lafrance
Communications
Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 19th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
Jean Francois
Hubert-Rouleau
Selection
Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower North, 7th Floor
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
Mike Doxtater
Enforcement
Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower North, 8th Floor
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
Anne-Julie
Paquette
Departmental
Delivery Network Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 14th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
Liane Lavallée
Human
Resources Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 12th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
Jean Viel
Metropolis
Project
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 18th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
|
|
|
|
Regional
Co-ordinators |
|
|
Therese
Vermette/ Maria Schiavone
British
Columbia and Yukon Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
641-800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6Z 2V8
|
Kathy Alexander
Atlantic
Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
31 Pippy Place
PO Box 13667
St. John’s, NF
A1B 4G1
|
|
|
Daniel St-Arnaud
Région
de Québec
Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada
715 Peel Street, 3rd Floor, Room 306
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 4H6
|
Kim Black-Richtschied
Prairies
and Northwest Territories
Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
25 Forks Market Road, Room 400
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4S9
|
|