Report
to/Rapport au:
Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee /
Comité des services organisationnels et du
développement économique
and Council/et au Conseil
18 March 2008 / le 18 mars 2008
Submitted by/Soumis par: French Language Services Advisory Committee/
Comité consultatif sur les services en français
Contact/Personne-ressource: Tania Richard,
Committee Coordinator/coordonnatrice du comité
consultatif
|
|
Ref N°:
ACS2008-CCV-FLS-0001E |
SUBJECT: FRENCH
LANGUAGE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2007 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2008 WORK PLAN
OBJET: COMITÉ
CONSULTATIF SUR LES SERVICES EN FRANCAIS - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2007 ET PLAN DE
TRAVAIL 2008
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the French Language Services Advisory Committee recommend that the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend Council:
a) receive the 2007
Annual Report of the French Language Services Advisory Committee as detailed in
Document 1; and
b)
approve the objectives
contained in the 2008 workplan, as detailed in Document 2.
Que le Comité consultatif sur les services en
français recommande que le Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique recommande que le Conseil :
a) reçoive le Rapport
annuel de 2007 du Comité consultatif sur les services en français, tel que
décrit à la pièce jointe no 1; et
b) approuve les objectifs qui sont
présentés dans le plan de travail 2008, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2.
City Council, on 6 December 2006, reconfirmed its governance structure. This included the advisory committees, and the requirement for each to complete a workplan outlining proposed projects and activities for the upcoming year. The workplan is to identify each and every activity the Committee plans to undertake in the upcoming year, whether they have a budgetary impact or not. Each item should be identified with a brief description of the project or activity.
The Lead Department Representatives are to provide the Committee with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can assist the Department. The Lead Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources are available as part of departmental priorities.
There was no funding approved for the advisory committee 2008 workplans.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting of 31 January 2008, the French Language Services
Advisory Committee (FLSAC) approved its 2007 annual report and 2008
workplan. The final version of each of
these documents is found at Attachments 1 and 2 of this report, respectively.
The mandate of the French Language Services Advisory Committee is to
provide advice to Ottawa City Council and its Departments, on issues that
impact official languages in the City. The complete Terms of
Reference can be found at Attachment 3 of this report.
City Clerk’s
Branch
The City Clerk’s
Branch has reviewed the French Language Services
Advisory Committee’s work plan for 2008 as well as its 2007 Annual
Report and has no comments to make on these documents.
The
Community and Protective Services (CPS) Department appreciates the advice and
support provided by the FLSAC in 2007 as outlined in the 2007 Annual Report
(Attachment 1) including activities such as its participation and input into
the development of a catch-up plan for Day care services in French, and
improving access to recreation services in French, among many others.
The Department supports the FLSAC’s new workplan
(Attachment 2) including key activities such as: working with public health
services in 2008, continuing to work with Day Care catch-up implementation and
the improvements to French recreation services, input to Cultural Services and
Community Funding on the allocation of funding to community organizations that
offer French-language services, and its commitment to continue its work with
the City to develop effective French-language
service delivery methods adapted to the needs and realities of the francophone
community in all its diversity, among many others.
There are no
financial impacts from this report.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – 2007 Annual Report of the French Language Services Advisory Committee
Document 2 – Proposed 2008 Workplan of the French Language Services Advisory Committee
Document 3 – French Language Services Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
The Advisory Committee will work to complete the workplan tasks approved by City Council.
Document
1
In 2007, the French Language Services Advisory Committee (FLSAC) met five
times to discuss various files related to municipal French language services,
in accordance with its mandate. The
meetings enabled the FLSAC to submit recommendations to the City Council and
municipal services, discuss related issues and hear delegations from the
public. This Committee also has working
sub-committees that met throughout the year.
REPORT ON
ACTIVITIES
|
Subject |
Project Description |
Results |
|
Ottawa Police Service |
The FLSAC worked to ensure that the new police chief would be bilingual. |
In the first few weeks of 2007, the Committee
continued the work undertaken in 2006 with the Ottawa Police Services Board
to ensure that the new Police Chief would be bilingual. The Committee was highly pleased with the
appointment of Vernon White to this position in February 2007. |
|
Rendez-vous francophone du maire and 150th Anniversary of Ottawa as the nation’s capital |
The Committee followed with interest the organization of the first edition of this activity and the project marking the event. |
Several FLSAC members participated in this activity, held on March 20, 2007, which also afforded an opportunity to launch the Raconte-moi Ottawa web site. |
|
Project to designate bilingual positions in the City of Ottawa |
The FLSAC regularly requested progress reports on this project. |
The FLSAC made suggestions concerning the designation of bilingual positions. |
|
Recreation Services in French |
The FLSAC worked to ensure that the City offered comparable recreation services in French and English. |
The FLSAC closely followed this issue throughout the year, in particular by requesting periodic progress reports. The FLSAC is delighted with the creation of a team to coordinate French-language recreation services and the release of the first edition of the Guide francophone des loisirs (in March 2007). The FLSAC is closely monitoring the development of the services offered and the increased registration for French-language activities. |
|
Day care services in French |
2007 was the first year of a three-year catch-up plan, adopted in 2006, aimed at seeing that the City offered comparable services in English and in French. |
Together with community partners, the FLSAC has been involved in a number of activities to ensure that the amounts dedicated to the catch-up plan are included in the 2007 budget. In February, the City adopted a budget including an additional $765,000 that has allowed over 100 new subsidized French-language spaces to be created. The FLSAC regularly receives reports in that regard. |
|
Community funding |
The FLSAC was invited to delegate a person to participate on a panel responsible for allocating funds to projects and organizations. During the year, the FLSAC took an interest in the issue of community funding so as to ensure that the City was adequately supporting French-language services. |
One person, who is not a member of the FLSAC, sat on this panel. From the case of an organization offering French-language services, the FLSAC asked the City to report on the amounts its distributes broken down by language of service. The FLSAC is also interested in the implementation of s. 1.18 of the Bilingualism Policy. |
|
French-Language Services Delivery Models |
The FLSAC sought to develop new ways to offer French-language services (delivery models, best practices). |
The FLSAC got the
City to order a study on this subject; the study presents, among other
things, a general report on the implementation of the Bilingualism Policy. |
|
Representation activities |
The FLSAC wanted to increase and intensify its contact with the City administration. |
In 2007, Committee members participated in several meetings with the
mayor, councillors and senior officials.
These meetings furthered concrete efforts to
improve French-language services. |
|
Delegations from the public |
During the reporting period, the FLSAC continued to receive presentations by delegations of members of the public or community groups. |
These presentations allowed the FLSAC to perform its mandate better,
namely, by presenting “a forum for citizens to express their questions and
concerns”. |
|
Communications |
The FLSAC used various means to maintain constant contact with the francophone community. |
The initiatives of the FLSAC allowed it to take the pulse of the
community and recognize emerging needs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual reports and work plans for 2006 and 2007 |
In 2007, the FLSAC finalized:
· its work plan for 2008. |
These documents were submitted to the Corporate Service and Economic
Development Committee and forwarded to Council for final approval. |
|
Symposium on bilingual municipal services |
Organization of this activity in 2008 or 2009. |
The FLSAC maintains relationships with various partners interested in
this project. |
|
Activities of the French Language Services Division (FLSD) |
During the reporting period, the FLSAC received regular progress reports on the activities of the French Language Services Division. |
The FLSAC was informed of the activities of the FLSD and made
suggestions on this subject. |
|
2005-2007 Report on French-Language Services |
Periodically, the FLSD reported on the development of French-language services to the City. |
The FLSAC was asked to comment on this report; its suggestions have
been included. |
Document
2
2008
FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FLSAC)
WORK PLAN
The mandate of the French Language Services Advisory Committee (FLSAC) is
to provide opinions to the Ottawa City Council and the various municipal
departments on issues relating to official languages. In 2008, in the pursuit of its mandate, the FLSAC plans to
continue the priorities and work approaches that follow.
1.
Continue
the work undertaken in the last few years in order to develop effective
French-language service delivery methods adapted to the needs and realities of
the francophone community in all its diversity. In 2008, the Committee plans to closely follow the implementation
of the study it commissioned in 2007 to report on the application of the Bilingualism
Policy.
2.
Continue
work to ensure that the City allocates a comparable amount to community
organizations offering French-language services. To that end, complete the study comparing the amounts allocated
to both French and English-language services.
3. After considering recreation and day care services as well as community funding programs, the FLSAC plans to take a look at public health services in 2008.
4. Support two municipal boards (Police and Library) to improve their French-language services policies. Propose to these boards delivery models meeting the needs of the francophone community.
5. Work, by various means, and together with the French Language Services Division, on improving municipal French-language services.
6. Closely follow the conclusion of the Designation of Bilingual Positions Project. Ensure that the City is implementing the continuing designation, staffing and language training polices and procedures.
7. Continue closely following the complaints process regarding the provision of French-language services.
8.
Receive
delegations from the public and inform the community about the work of the
FLSAC.
9. Continue to publicize the mandate and work of the FLSAC by maintaining links of communication and collaboration with the francophone community and its organizations.
10. Continue the effort to organize, in collaboration with various partners, an international symposium on the delivery of French-language municipal services.
11. Contribute to recruiting new members for the FLSAC.
Document
3
Approved by City Council on 09 May 2001
(As per Council approved Governance Report)
Terms of Reference
MANDATE
The mandate of the French Language Services Advisory Committee is to provide advice to Ottawa City Council and its Departments, on issues that impact official languages in the City.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The French Language Services Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:
· Providing a forum for citizens to raise issues and concerns;
· Providing advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, on matters pertaining to policies, programs and practices involving the use of official languages and services in the City;
· Reviewing the policies and procedures governing the use of the French language in City of Ottawa material and dissemination of such information to residents;
· Advising on appropriate policies and procedures on services provided in French;
· Reviewing and commenting on policies such as language training, or translation;
· Evaluating the provision of services in English and in French in the City and report as necessary through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee to Council.
ORGANIZATION
The French Language Services Advisory Committee shall have a maximum
citizen membership of between 9 - 15, consisting of an equal number of
English and French speaking taxpayers, and including a minimum of one citizen
appointment representing the rural community
In addition, the French Language Services Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:
· 1 staff representative from the Corporate Services Department (non-voting)
The process for choosing membership for the French Language Services Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments Policy.
The Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee and Ottawa City Council shall approve all appointments to the French Language Services Advisory Committee.
The French Language Services Advisory Committee will hold a maximum of six official meetings per year.
LEAD
DEPARTMENT/REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Corporate Services Department shall be the lead department for the French Language Services Advisory Committee. The French Language Services Advisory Committee shall report through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee to Ottawa City Council, however may report to another Standing Committee where appropriate, depending on the issue.
WORKPLANS AND
ANNUAL REPORTS
The French Language Services Advisory Committee must
report annually to City Council through the Corporate Services and Economic
Development Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee
Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current
year and on the Committee’s workplan for the following year.