Conclusion
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CONCLUSION
The year 2006–2007 was noteworthy in part because Graham Fraser began his term as the sixth commissioner of official languages.
The new Commissioner assumed his duties in October with a great degree of determination. He began his mandate with a vision of Canada in which English and French are fully valued as Canadian languages. For the Commissioner, Canada’s official languages policy is more than a question of rights. It is based on the universal values of respect, generosity and integrity. These values are central to the Canadian reality and are rich in significance. They are an opportunity for all Canadians, regardless of their origin, culture, religion or social background, to contribute to this vision of Canadian linguistic duality.
In this annual report, the Commissioner has prepared the groundwork for a reflection that will continue throughout his seven-year term. Two main ideas have emerged. The first concerns the Official Languages Act (the Act), the primary instrument for implementing language rights, which are also enshrined in the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Commissioner pointed out early on that the federal government does not live up to its eloquent discourse when it comes time to apply the Act.
This report has specifically discussed the amendments made to Part VII of the Act in November 2005. At this turning point in the history of Canadian language rights, parliamentarians clearly expressed their desire for federal institutions to adopt “positive measures” to promote linguistic duality and enhance the vitality of official language communities. The obligation to take “positive measures” therefore does not come from an obscure guideline or policy: it is a legal requirement enshrined in the Act. Yet more than 18 months after the amended Part VII came into effect, a lack of understanding persists within the federal government regarding the scope of its obligations under this part of the Act. Most federal institutions are still unclear on how to give form to the government’s commitments in their respective areas of operation.
Furthermore, compliance assurance activities for the entire Act point to an uneven state of affairs, depending on the institution and factors studied. Clearly, the road ahead is a long one; indecision and lack of determination must be replaced by creativity and initiative. The Commissioner concludes that a more energetic and sustained commitment from political leaders, the senior public service and central agencies would standardize and improve the performance of federal institutions when it comes to official languages. The time is ripe for renewal in the public service. Two committees are currently studying the subject. The Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Public Service Renewal brings deputy ministers together under the aegis of the Privy Council Office to examine the public service’s operations. For its part, the Advisory Committee on the Public Service is made up of members from outside the federal government. These are excellent opportunities to reflect on how linguistic duality can be strengthened within the public service.
The second main idea to emerge from this annual report concerns the Action Plan for Official Languages, which is entering its fifth and final year this spring. The Commissioner noted that the past year has been marked by the uncertainty surrounding the future of this plan and the government’s willingness to renew it. Yet for the Commissioner, the Action Plan is a concrete expression of Canada’s fundamental values, as described above. It is evidence that the country cares about remaining faithful to its roots. While it cannot be denied that it faltered in some areas and its coordination was occasionally inadequate, the Action Plan has nonetheless proven its worth. It has given the official languages policy the new momentum it needed to offset the budget cuts that have affected official language communities in previous years.
The Commissioner of Official Languages therefore urges the federal government to renew its commitment to the Action Plan. In particular, he recommends that the government begin designing an ambitious initiative this year that will ensure the future of official language communities and the promotion of linguistic duality.
