Implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act: Parks Canada Agency Results-Based Status Report (Part VII), 2004-2005

Federal department/agency:

Parks Canada Agency

Address:

Web Site:

www.pc.gc.ca

Minister responsible:

Honourable Stéphane Dion – Minister of the Environment

Senior Official(s) responsible for implementation of Part VII of the OLA

Alan Latourelle- CEO –Parks Canada

Contact: Michel Latreille – Champion - Official Languages

Office of the Chief Human Resources
25 Eddy Street
(25-15-N) 15th floor #2
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5

(819) 997-2975

Mandate of federal institution

“On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.”

National coordinator responsible for implementation of Section 41:

Diane Lépine

Advisor, Retention & Official Languages
Resourcing Strategies and Programs

Human Resources National Office

(819) 997-0105

Exact title:

Postal Address:

25 Eddy Street
(25-15-O) 15th floor #13
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5

E-mail:

Diane.Lépine@pc.gc.ca

Regional coordinators (if any):

TBD

Exact titles:

Postal Addresses:

E-mails:

Employees and senior managers are aware of the importance of promoting the bilingual character of Canada

Unit/Centre/Parks/Directorates are informed about linguistic duality and OLMC’s and understand their responsibilities to OLMC’s.

Research undertaken or commissioned by the Agency yields conclusions pertaining to OLMC’s.

Organization of activities for the Rendez-vous de la francophonie.

Active role played by official languages champion in promoting official languages and OLMC’s within the Agency.

• Manitoba FU raised staff awareness and appreciation of the French fact in Manitoba through activities for le Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
• The Atlantic SC supports the initiative of the Nova Scotia Federal Council that organizes training classes for beginners through A, level B and Level C in a number of locations in the Halifax-Dartmouth area, available to employees of all departments and agencies.
• In the West Quebec FU, the staff of the Louis St. Laurent National Historic Site of Canada have provided technical assistance to the “Townshippers” and Eastern Townships Anglophone community group to update their Internet Web site.
• The Nunavut FU has 3 official languages – English French and Inuktitut and language is top of mind in Nunavut.
• Southwest NWT FU (Wood Buffalo National Park) continues to work with the Fort Smith Francophone Association on the community Tourism Advisory Board.
• The Northern Ontario FU continues to encourage and support the private sector and other organizations involved in tourism (Destination Nord and Lake Superior Marketing Alliance) to provide services in both official languages.
• Representatives of the Acadian community were invited to participate in public consultations for the management plan of PEI National Park.
• The OL Coordinator for the Jasper FU organizes French lunches on a weekly basis. Employees and the whole community are invited to join in and practice their French oral skills in an informal setting.
• Research conducted by the New Brunswick South FU concluded that school outreach program is promoted equally to English and French language schools in the region. A total of 3245 English students and 1556 French students attended presentations at schools. A total of 339 English students and 393 French students attended school presentations on site at Fundy National Park of Canada.
• A great majority of the work performed by the Eastern Ontario FU at the local, regional, and national tourism infrastructures involves the city of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission. The involvement of official language minority communities is assured and the corresponding rollouts, products and services are appropriately bilingual.

The Agency’s programs and policies take into account the priorities of the OLMC’s.

The OLMC’s have an opportunity to make their needs known and to explain the obstacles to accessing the Agency’s programs.

The OLMC’s are part of the regular clientele of the Services Centres and Field Units.

Participation in various formal and informal consultations with the OLMC’s, other departments and central agencies.

• The Western Canada SC participated as a working group member to provide O.L. advice and translation expertise for the Avalanche Bulletin translation project. Liaised with the Vancouver PWGSC Translation Bureau and the working group to facilitate a face to face meeting to discuss translation options and, if feasible, to develop an agreement for translation services. Provided input on O.L. Innovation Fund project proposal to develop an avalanche lexicon, which can be developed and shared with other avalanche forecasting organizations across Canada and the Meteorological Service of Canada. The Gaspé FU is working with the Anglophone Social Action Committee on an interpretation project related to the Grande-Grave National Historic Site (19 th century building representation of the in shore coastal fishing industry). The exposition content and development schedule will be completed in the Fall 2005.
• Manitoba FU consulted with Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues (CDEM) regarding tourism promotion initiatives ie. Joie de vivre promotion for Manitoba and Le corridor touristique francophone de l’Ouest for promotion to francophones of attractions in the four western provinces.
• The West Quebec FU launched a heritage guide to historic sites of Montreal in collaboration with Francophone and Anglophone heritage groups.

Media purchases include acquisition of antenna time and advertising space in OLMC media.

OLMCA’s are receiving up-to-date information on the federal department’s/agency’s programs and services.

OLMCA’s are able to obtain information on the Agency’s programs and services from its Web site.

Making communications advisors at National Office, SCs and FU’s aware of the issues of promoting linguistic duality and developing OLMCA’s.

Use of the Agency’s information sources such as Internet to inform OLMC’s.

Placing of advertising by PCA in minority language publications contribute to their financial sustainability.

• Mount Revelstoke and Glacier FU has been a leader among the mountain parks in finding a cost-effective method to provide Avalanche Bulletins in both official languages. The Translation Bureau translates these bulletins and they have improved their capability to translate the highly technical nature of the bulletins.
• Communications Unit, Coastal BC continues to maintain a good working relationship with the Societe de dévelopment économique de la columbie-britannique. The FU advertises in their publications and distributes these publications at parks and sites and outreach events.
• Northern Ontario FU. Parks Canada advertises in a summer bilingual publication a which promotes bilingual programs and services - the only bilingual tourism publication in Ontario.
• A local park volunteer at Grasslands NPC presents an outreach program to Francophone or immersion schools when requested. The Park provides assistance by means of props, brochures, volunteer insurance coverage and mileage remuneration.
• Banff NP Canada Place offers summer programs (scavenger hunt based on Canadian trivia) for children in both O.L. simultaneously through interactive media.
• Western Arctic FU ensures that all external publications are available in French and English.
• The West Quebec FU prepared and distributed a heritage publication (Heritage Guide: A City Steeped in History”. This has provided an opportunity for parks staff to work with and better understand the family of national historic sites not administered by Parks Canada associated with the Anglophone history of Montreal.
• Western Newfoundland and Labrador FU advertises annually in the provincial Francophone Association’s French visitor services guide, L’Indispensable.

National and regional coordinators are using the best practices that have been presented at meetings of national coordinators responsible for the implementation of section 41 of the OLA.

The Agency is working with multiple partners to meet the priorities of the OLMC’s.

Participation in the work of federal councils and their official languages sub-committees.

Participation in the network of official languages champions.

• Atlantic SC has a seat at the Federal Council table. There are Federal Councils in every province. Saskatchewan South FU coordinates an official languages program and is an active member of the Official Languages sub-committee of the Saskatchewan Council of Senior Federal Officials.
• The Quebec FU collaborates with the Ancient Order of Hibernian and Quebec Irish Heritage on matters relating to the Gross-Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada.
• Banff NP coordinates with minority communities who received information and were consulted on a potential increase in park fees, national historic sites management planning and human use management issues.
• Central Ontario FU has plans in place at Georgian Bay Islands NP to consult with minority official language communities in the development of the Park Management Plan.
• Eastern Ontario FU has undertaken an on-going project to develop special programming for elementary and secondary schools at Bellevue House offered in both official languages and a particular effort has been made to promote programs to the French language schools of the area.
• Gulf Islands NPR/Coastal BC participation in «Voyagez en français sur l’île de Vancouver » to promote tourism opportunities available in the French language.
• Manitoba FU actively participates in MB Federal Council’s interdepartmental network for OL coordinators.
• Manitoba FU l iaised with the head of the Faculty of Education at the CUSB for possible future presentations at the college to teachers in training regarding PC’s French language educational resources.
• Manitoba FU liaised with Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues (CDEM) regarding tourism promotion initiatives focusing ie. Joie de vivre promotion for Manitoba and Le corridor touristique francophone de l’Ouest for promotion to francophones of attractions in the 4 western provinces.
• New Brunswick South FU participates in a francophone regional association in Saint John (l’association regionale de la communauté francophone de Saint John) dedicated to the well being of the francophone community in Saint John.

The OLMC’s have access to the Agency’s programs.

Participation in the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official-Language Communities (IPOLC).

• Atlantic Service Centre collaborates in Acadian-related heritage presentation projects that involve the Acadian community.
• Banff NP minority communities are participating in all activities related to the 120 th anniversary of the park and Alberta’s centennial.
• Jasper FU OL Coordinator is an organizing member of the Rendez-vous de la francophonie in Jasper and also sits on the local French school board, the local Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta, the local Parents for French association.
• Manitoba FU ensures all programming activities in which MFU collaborates with the Forks Renewal Corporation are done in both official languages. The Forks encourages and financially supports print pieces being produced bilingually.
• Mount Revelstoke and Glacier were successful in their application for Innovation Funding for training, lexicon, and informatics changes.
• Northern Ontario FU continues to work jointly with partners, other levels of government, institutions and the private sector to promote the use of English and French.
• The Nunavut FU Superintendent is on the Federal Council.
• PEI FU ensures all school programming (out reach) is available in French and English. Some of the promotion activities are directed to French school boards and immersion classes.
• Atlantic Service Centre Conducts focus testing in both English and French schools for national initiatives, such as the creation of educational posters for classrooms.
• Yoho NP meets or exceeds in staffing the number of designated bilingual positions in Communications and Visitor Services.

Systematic evaluations and regular internal audits may be considered, as appropriate and may include criteria pertaining to the way policies, programs and services have affected OLMC’s.

Incorporation of the implementation of section 41 of the OLA in the Agency’s accountability mechanisms (Management Plans and sustainable business plans).

Use performance measurement tool to prepare status report on the years achievements in order to track progress and identify possible future actions.

• Manitoba FU is ensuring that the implementation of the Riel House Management Plan is being done in consultation with the francophone community and consideration of section 41 of the OLA. In addition, ensured public consultation for the Wapusk National Park Management Plan and the Riel House Management Plan met OL requirements.
• Atlantic Service Centre consulted with Acadian communities on national park and national historic site management plans.
• Central Ontario FU has plans in place at Georgian Bay Islands N.P. to consult with minority official language communities in the development of the Park Management Plan.
• PEI FU ensured representation of the Acadian community through an invitation to participate in public consultations for the Park Management Plan of PEI National Park.