Press Release Department: Federal - Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

A lack of resources, a shortage of early childhood educators and the fragmentation of services are some of the shortcomings hindering early childhood development in Francophone minority communities, according to a report released by Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser. “Early childhood development is crucial to the vitality of Francophone communities,” said Mr. Fraser. “Accessible, quality services not … Read more

According to Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser, Parks Canada needs to make improvements to its bilingual service delivery at parks and historic sites across Canada. “The Agency is already facing the challenge of ensuring that there is equal service in English and French at all of its sites. If the number of visitors increases significantly in … Read more

Canadians remain committed to a vision of the country that includes two official languages, according to a recent Nielson survey commissioned by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages: 88 per cent of respondents support the objectives of the Official Languages Act, and 82 per cent feel that the 150th anniversary of Confederation next … Read more

Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser released a study that examined why staff in federal institutions still have problems greeting the public in both official languages (also known as active offer of service). The study looked at the human and workplace factors that influence employees’ decisions on whether to make an active offer. “We found that front-line employees’ misperceptions about … Read more

In a rare gesture-only the second time since the Official Languages Act was adopted in 1969-Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser tabled a special report to Parliament. In Air Canada: On the road to increased compliance through an effective enforcement regime, the Commissioner asks parliamentarians to act as quickly as possible in order to modernize the official … Read more

In his 10th and final annual report, tabled in Parliament on May 19, Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser had two recommendations for the Government of Canada: the way in which federal services are provided to official language minority communities must be better defined, and Canadians must be able to obtain justice before the courts in the … Read more

Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser released his audit report on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s official languages obligations during the 2011-2012 Strategic and Operating Review (SOR). He found that official language minority communities are not always taken into consideration during these types of exercises. “The information provided by the Secretariat revealed notable weaknesses regarding … Read more

Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser hopes that governments in Western Canada will offer better services in French, following the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Caron Boutet case. “Today’s judgment is not the one I had hoped for,” said Fraser. “It is the end of a legal saga that gave Canadians an opportunity … Read more

Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser expressed his disappointment at a ruling delivered by the Federal Court of Appeal regarding his court case with CBC/Radio-Canada: “This ruling brings us back to square one. After five years of litigation, important questions are still left unanswered,” said Fraser. “I was hoping the Court would be able to … Read more

In his audit report on services provided in English and French by Elections Canada, the Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, concludes that the agency needs to make improvements to fully comply with the Official Languages Act. “Elections Canada has difficulty guaranteeing services to electors in both official languages at its various offices throughout Canada,” said Mr. … Read more