Implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act: Parks Canada Agency Action Plan, 2005-2008

Advancement of English and French (Part VII)

Table of Contents:

Context and Responsibilities of the Parks Canada Agency

Mandate:

"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."

The Federal Strategy to support official-language minority communities includes an accountability framework that requires departments and agencies to play a role in the following areas; awareness of linguistic duality and Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) priorities or new initiatives; communications with OLMC's about programs and services; coordination and liaison with other federal/provincial/municipal government bodies; and accountability and to produce an action plan on the implementation of section 41 (Part VII) of the Official Languages Act.

Parks Canada protects, preserves and presents a magnificent system of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites all across this country. By working with minority-language communities, it assists in promoting another aspect of section 41 of the Official Languages Act, which reads:

The government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development and fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

These measures outlined in this plan aim to develop and enhance the vitality of official-language minority communities. To ensure these goals are met, Parks Canada actions are based on the achievement of three objectives:

  1. Develop and put in place heritage presentation programs that take into account the presence of official language minority communities.
  2. Work jointly with representatives of official language minority communities for the development of local, regional and national tourism infrastructures.
  3. Encourage and support the expression of the Canadian linguistic duality by working jointly with the local and national leaders for the promotion of this duality.

Public consultation is an essential element of the national park and national historic site management plan process. These consultations provide an opportunity to consult with minority-language communities.


Implementation of Section 41 (Part VII) of the Official Languages Act - Action Plan 2005 - 2008

A. AWARENESS
Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan Global approach Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

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

Management Units are informed about linguistic duality and OLMC's and understand their responsibilities to OLMC's.

Research undertaken by the Agency yields conclusions pertaining to OLMC's (for example; in the bringing forward of designation proposals to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

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.
  • Concrete examples of promotion activities
  • Variety of research on OLMC's.

B. CONSULTATION
Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan Global approach Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

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.

Participation in various formal and informal consultations with the OLMC's, other departments and central agencies.
  • Identification and consideration of OLMC needs in the policies, programs and services of the Agency.
  • Encouraging OLMC participation in programs and services of Agency.
  • Open consultations with local and territorial minority language societies to identify projects and possibilities.
  • Outreach projects specifically designed for minority language communities with the collaboration of community leaders.
  • Local minority language groups informed about planning exercises and special events.
  • Establish partnerships with minority groups.
  • Increase participation and exchange with Francophone associations and promote their goals and objectives.
  • Collaborate with minority communities on local and regional marketing and promotion.
  • Involvement of minority language communities in management plan consultations.

C. COMMUNICATIONS
Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan Global approach Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

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 the Agency 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 about the Agency's programs.

Placing of advertising by PCA in minority language publications contribute to their financial sustainability.
  • Use of minority media.
  • Use of communication tools.
  • Support to private sector, offer of services in French to visitors.
  • Improved work with the private sector to provide service in both official languages.

D. COORDINATION AND LIAISON

Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan

Global approach

Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

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.
  • Partner and OLMC perception of improvement in their cooperation
  • Number and type of partnerships established

E. FUNDING AND PROGRAM DELIVERY
Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan Global approach Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

The OLMCs have access to the agency's programs and are among its regular clientele.

The agency takes into account the geographical dispersionof the OLMCs in delivering its programs.

Lending services for OLMC activities.

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

Funding of OLMC activities.
  • Accessibility of outreach services/products to Francophone communities outside Quebec and to Anglophone communities inside Quebec
  • Improve work with their local tourism associations to facilitateaccess to tourism
  • Enhanced participation in Provincial tourism initiatives to promote French language and culture services to visitors.
  • Improve participation in heritage tourism initiatives with other partners.
  • Strengthen links between marketing and heritage tourism strategies and relevant Francophone communities outside Quebec and English communities inside Quebec.
  • School programs continue to meet the curriculum guidelines and adjustments are made as appropriate
  • New interpretive material developed in partnership with local minority communities.

F. ACCOUNTABILITY
Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan Global approach Possible actions to be carried out by Agency management units

Systematic evaluations and appropriate internal reviews 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).Prepare status report on the years achievements in order to track progress and identify possible future actions.

  • Type and scope of activities and services provided to OLMC's
  • Concrete examples of targeted actions.

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