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Share this Story : Federal departments still failing on bilingualism requirements: language watchdog Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Public Service Federal departments still failing on bilingualism requirements: language watchdog "Things are moving forward, it's just that they're moving slowly." Get the latest from Catherine Morrison straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Catherine Morrison Published Dec 05, 2024 • Last updated 45 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on May 9, 2019. Photo by Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content A review of 10 federal departments and agencies by the government’s language watchdog found they aren’t doing enough to accurately and objectively define the language requirements needed for employees filling their positions. Article content Article content In a report released on Dec. 5 , Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Théberge said that while some progress had been made since he last made recommendations on the issue in 2020, the extent of the progress and the rate of implementation within federal institutions was “concerning.” Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. 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Activate your Online Access Now Article content Between March 2023 and February 2024, the office reviewed 10 federal departments and agencies that saw “a high volume” of complaints about Section 91 of the Official Languages Act, which requires federal institutions to establish the language requirements of their jobs objectively. They included the Canada Border Services Agency, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, Correctional Service Canada, the RCMP, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Global Affairs Canada and Shared Services Canada. The review also looked at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. “Results such as these are worrisome, especially given that members of the public and federal public servants can all be adversely affected when section 91 of the Act is not respected, since an employee who does not have the necessary language requirements for a position will not be able to provide quality service in both official languages,” Théberge said in the report. The 2020 report concluded that there was “a systemic problem” within federal organizations when it came to complying with the language requirements and gave the government two years to implement its recommendations. But the results of the new review showed some positive signs and most organizations ensured their employees had access to key terms and links to resources around official languages. Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content However, it also found that “more needs to be done to equip employees — and managers in particular — with the appropriate resources for establishing the language requirements of positions objectively.” The new report said that almost half of the organizations couldn’t show that they had developed a policy, a procedure and a tool to establish language requirements, as recommended by the office. It also said that many organizations didn’t offer mandatory training on how to determine jobs’ language requirements, that they didn’t have plans to increase their staff’s awareness of Section 91 and that they didn’t conduct regular assessments of positions’ language requirements. Having accurate language requirements in place, Théberge said in an interview, allows for the employees that are hired to be able to work and be supervised in their language of choice and to deliver services to members of the public in their language of choice. He noted that language requirements are supposed to be included in job postings, but that the level needed is sometimes underestimated. Théberge said that, in the interim, there are situations where people are hired that don’t necessarily have the language level that was posted about initially, even though that goes against the Officials Languages Act. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “You should follow some kind of checklist to determine objectively the language requirements,” Théberge said, noting that the office has a tool to help managers do so on its website. “We have a lot of turnover in the public service, people move around, so we need some kind of better integration within all the organizations for better training and a better understanding of Section 91 and also other parts of the Official Languages Act, but clearly managers have to understand their obligations with respect to Section 91.” While the report found that the Treasury Board was taking steps to review its policies and improve training, Théberge said the results from the departments and agencies were “disappointing.” According to 2022 data shared on the Library of Parliament website, 42 per cent of positions in the public service are designated as bilingual. Most bilingual jobs are in the National Capital Region (63 per cent), Quebec (66 per cent) and New Brunswick (52 per cent). Théberge’s office conducted the review after receiving more than 1,500 complaints related to Section 91 between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The language watchdog’s office has received complaints about jobs being listed as “English essential” when they should be listed as bilingual. When this happens and people aren’t comfortable using the language of their choice, Théberge said it can lead to “linguistic insecurity” in the workplace and impact services to Canadians. Théberge said that the more federal institutions ignore their obligations, the more difficult it will be to “create and maintain inclusive and respectful workplaces that are representative of the richness of Canadian diversity.” On a positive note, Théberge said the Treasury Board is working on new guidelines for the objective determination of language requirements for positions, which responds in part to his recommendations in the 2020 report. “Things are moving forward, it’s just that they’re moving slowly,” Théberge said. Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Recommended from Editorial Layoffs could be on the table for public servants. Here's everything you need to know Public servants could lose big as feds redirect $2B pension surplus, union warns Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Federal departments still failing on bilingualism requirements: language watchdog Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Hum: This dim sum brings the magic of Hong Kong to Ottawa Life Tent structure debate boils over in Nepean News Ottawa police begin criminal investigation into alleged kickback-for-rent scheme News Ottawa tow truck companies, driver charged after complaints made to police News Woman in critical condition after Mooney's Bay shooting News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings
Israel strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital, and WHO chief says he was ‘meters’ awayIn a subtle yet scathing remark, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, took a swipe at Rivers State governor, Siminialayi Fubara, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the birthday celebration of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday. Akpabio, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, mocked Fubara’s handling of the ongoing political crisis in the state. The lecture, titled “Pragmatic Strides of a Visionary Leader and Contemporary Issues of Society,” attracted thousands of Wike’s loyalists, friends, and associates. The event, organised by the NEW Associates, a new political movement coined from the initials of the minister’s name, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, provided a platform for Akpabio to remind Fubara of the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the legislature. Akpabio recognised Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and emphasised that every wise governor or president must find a way to work closely with the leadership of the legislature. Akpabio, who spoke from experience as a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, noted that a governor could only be hurt by the House of Assembly. He advised Fubara to fashion out ways to work with the Speaker, just as he did during his tenure. He said: “For those of you who may not understand politics, we were taught that the parliament can turn a woman into a man and a man into a woman. As a governor, my greatest fear was my House of Assembly. “So because of that, I never travelled anywhere without my Speaker. Any time I didn’t see him for a day, I would send somebody to his house to invite him to come and have lunch with me, and I used ideas to look at his face to know whether he was happy with me or not. “The only place that can hurt a governor is the House of Assembly, and no court or democracy can stop that from happening. Any President who wants to survive, like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must hold the speaker and the Senate President very closely the way he is holding us. “Recently, he conferred on us GCON, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, whether he loved it or not, he did it. He muscled the two Chambers together.” The Senate President questioned Fubara’s inability to win over some of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, despite having ample resources at his disposal He expressed concern over the politics of betrayal and treachery, noting that such orientation affects sustainability in governance. Akpabio also observed that the lecture delivered by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, failed to address the critical issue of sustainability. He said: “I do not know what is happening in Rivers State, but I hope that the successor to Wike realises the fact that no matter how the bird flies, the legs are pointing to the ground. “Something must be wrong. Today is not for politics. Today is for Nyesom Wike. But sometimes I wonder, I would never be the governor, given the resources of Rivers State, and then I disagree with my House of Assembly, and I am not able to poach at least one member out of the other group. If I do not do that, it means that there is something wrong with my political philosophy. “I do not care what people say, we must try to stop this politics of betrayal and politics of treachery because it does not allow for good succession. Prof. Julius, in everything you said here, the word that was missing was ‘sustainability’. “You cannot have sustainability in good policies and governance when the person taking over from you is interested in not destroying you alone but destroying everything that you built. If you are a politician, note, you must have opposition. As people oppose you, they are also the step you can use to go higher.” READ ALSO: Fubara donates gunboats to Navy to combat piracy, protect oil facilities Akpabio, however, said when politicians served with dedication, passion, confidence, and an open heart, God would eventually lift them higher. On his part, Akpabio appreciated the NEW Associates and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Senator George Sekibo, for putting the event together, saying he was not bothered about the ongoing criticisms of a few people. He said: “For me, in life, what is important is if you know what you want to do, and you know how you want to do it, then you go ahead. One thing that I can assure all of you here is that we will continue to make you proud. “I will never be distracted. I will still be focused to achieve the results that Nigerians will know that Mr. President means well. Yes, so many people have talked about criticism, I can assure you, it is even people who inform me that people are criticising me. Frankly speaking, because I do not see them and I don’t hear them and I cannot reply to them.” Wike, who said he was humbled by the crowd that identified with him, said he was satisfied with the support of President Tinubu. He said all the criticisms were designed by his detractors to distract him, adding that the only way to silence the critics was to achieve results for public interest. He said: “I have told most of you, do not bother about criticisms. What is important for you is to ask yourself if you are focused or if you are doing what is expected of you to do. I tell them, the moment your enemies see that you do not listen to them, and you are focused and are there to achieve results, they will be tired, and when you are being distracted, you are worried, they will say yes, they have now gotten you. “The only way that you can silence your critics is to show them your results. Show them your performance. I am happy that when we were coming last night, I saw the flyovers being painted. I said thank God, so there was work that they are now painting? I said thank God, there was work that is being painted now. I have said, if you are not important, nobody will talk about you. “So, the support Mr. President is giving to me is enough for me. I do not require anything. The moment I know that my Mr. President is happy, the moment I know that my family is happy, the moment I know that my friends and associates are happy, what is my own? I just go on. If you cannot match up with what we have done, why not come out and say look, let the truth be told. “I do not see anybody that will intimidate or threaten me. I have not seen that person. At the appropriate time we will talk politics; now is for the project and project in FCT.” Speaking at the event, the national leadership of the PDP, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja, said despite the antics of persons in the party with entitlement mentality, the majority of the people in the PDP loved and appreciated the Minister. He said the members of the party stood with Wike, describing the minister as one of the most committed and loyal party leaders ever produced in the PDP. He said: “Our mentor and principal that we are celebrating today, who has never left the PDP for a day, is one of the most committed, most loyal party leaders we have ever had. He has done well and he is doing well, and we wish him well in future endeavours. “He is somebody who believes in equity, justice, and fairness. Remember, before the 2023 election, he sang a famous song. I used to follow my leader and Osun State Governor Seyi Makinde. Our leader, I still remember the G5 and I am telling you that many people in the PDP appreciate you. We love you because you are always there for us, not only when you need anything, unlike some leaders who come running to us when they need something. “We know you, and we always love you and we appreciate you. Some people believe in entitlement mentality, but we will always stand by you because you led the G5. You are a man of integrity, a man of honour, and you are a performer.” Arapaja, however, disagreed with some of the remarks of Akpabio against the PDP and wondered why the Senate President, whom he described as a product of the PDP, could attack his party of origin. He said: “The foundation of all political parties is the PDP. So I am surprised when someone who is a product of the PDP comes here and says those things. I do not understand. But that is not politics. Nobody can dispute the fact that the present Senate President was a governor of Akwa Ibom State under the PDP, and he performed.” The Guest Lecturer, Ihonvbere, highlighted the problems of the country as insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, corruption, religious and ethnic factors, as well as poor educational facilities, and said fixing them was not rocket science. “Our problems can be solved. The Nigerian ruling class in fraction will be ashamed that it has not managed any of our problems successfully. We have created millions and billions, but their legacies are hardly sustained. It is not lack of resources but management. Fixing Nigeria is not rocket science. It requires focus and staying the course,” he said. The Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), OCJ Okocha, described Wike as a superlative performer with a Midas touch. “This is a man that we have given to Nigeria and we are proud to be his friends and associates. I want to thank us all for organising this public lecture in his honour. Knowing him, he would have opposed it, but I think the pressure on him was too much that his friends won the day and said, let us honour you,” he said.
Membership of Reform UK has surpassed that of the Conservatives, Nigel Farage’s party has said. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage said it was a “historic moment” as he posted on X: “The youngest political party in British politics has just overtaken the oldest political party in the world. “Reform UK are now the real opposition.” This is an historic moment. The youngest political party in British politics has just overtaken the oldest political party in the world. Reform UK are now the real opposition. pic.twitter.com/t8SOHThxp3 — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 26, 2024 Party chairman Zia Yusuf said: “History has been made today, as the centuries-long stranglehold on the centre-right of British politics by the Tories has finally been broken. “Nigel Farage will be the next prime minister, and will return Britain to greatness.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. The figure, revealed as Kemi Badenoch was announced as the new leader on November 2, was the lowest Tory level on record and a drop from the 2022 leadership contest when there were around 172,000 members. Reform returned five MPs to the Commons at the general election in July, including Mr Farage in Clacton. A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Reform has delivered a Labour Government that has cruelly cut winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners, put the future of family farming and food security at risk, and launched a devastating raid on jobs which will leave working people paying the price. “A vote for Reform this coming May is a vote for a Labour council – only the Conservatives can stop this.” Unlike other political parties, Reform was set up as a limited company, and in September Mr Farage announced that he would change the ownership structure so that it would be owned by members. “I no longer need to control this party,” he said at the time. In a video posted on X, he said: “We will change the structure of the party from one limited by shares to a company limited by guarantee, and that means it’s the members of Reform that will own this party.” A research briefing published by the House of Commons Library in 2022 said comparing party membership numbers can be “difficult”, citing there not being a uniformly recognised definition of membership, or an established method to monitor it. Luke Tryl, director of the More in Common think tank similarly told the PA news agency it is an “opaque” process. “Parties are notoriously opaque about this sort of thing,” he said, also raising the idea that it is unknown whether the Conservatives have added any new members since their leadership election. He later added: “It’s very opaque and murky as a metric anyway.” With regard to Reform, Mr Tryl indicated that one of the challenges for the party will be whether membership converts to campaigners. He told PA: “There is no doubt Reform had a very good autumn. I think they capitalised off some of Labour’s early mistakes but also the fact the Conservative brand is still struggling. They’ve clearly got momentum.” Discussing Reform’s membership, he later said: “We know that lots of Reform’s most vocal supporters are very online. “Do those people who are very online and joined up... do they also go out and pound the streets, deliver leaflets, canvass, that sort of thing? “That remains an open question.” A Labour Party spokesman said: “While the Tories and Reform pick fights with one another yet again, this Labour Government is getting on with delivering the change the British people voted for in July.”College Football Playoff & Bowl Game TV Schedule 2024Buccaneers looking to beat NFC South-rival Panthers and bolster hopes for a playoff berth
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic won most of the votes in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, but must face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned “this was just a first run.” “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene. Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive. Primorac was upbeat despite such a big defeat in the first round. “I know the difference (in votes) at first sight seems very big,” said Primorac, who insisted that the center-right votes had split among too many conservative candidates. “Now we have a great opportunity to face each other one on one and show who stands for what,” he said. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.Shield AI and Palantir Technologies Deepen Strategic Partnership and Announce Deployment of Warp SpeedStevenson disagrees with Integrity Commissioner ruling she bullied Deputy City Manager and deserves financial punishment
Shield AI and Palantir Technologies Deepen Strategic Partnership and Announce Deployment of Warp Speed
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