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Health Canada Status Report 2005/06 in support of Part VII of the Official Languages Act
Principal Achievements
Alberta / Northwest Territories Region
Regional Director General's Office
A. Awareness
Training, information, orientation, awareness & communication activities carried out in house in order to educate employees and/or senior managers of Health Canada about linguistic duality and the priorities of OLMCs; senior manager performance contracts and recognition programs; taking the viewpoint of OLMCs into account during research, studies and investigations.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Employees and senior managers are aware of the importance of promoting the bilingual character of Canada. Branches, division and/or regions are informed about linguistic duality and OLMCs and they understand their responsibilities to OLMCs. They consult on a continous basis with OLMCs with regard to new priorities, initiatives, policies and programs. |
1. The Office raised awareness among directors, managers, supervisors, employees and Health Canada unions of Part VII of the Official Languages Act. |
1. Presentations given to members of the Regional Executive Committee, the Associate Deputy Minister, Regional Branches and the New Employees Orientation. During Les rendez-vous de la francophonie, Edmomton employees were invited to attend different ceremonies or event, such as: the raising of the Franco-Albertain flag at City Hall; a French Canadian Luncheon, 100 employees came to taste traditional French Canadian cuisine and got a chance to see l'Association canadienne française de l'Alberta and the Northwest Terriroties' Fédération Frano-ténoise flags. |
| 2. The Office developed new Intranet Web page for the Region. | 2. New bilingual Official Language Intranet module launched in October 2005, 350 employees have access to the Intranet. It provides employees with a direct link to Official Languages policies, directives and tools. |
B. Consultations
Activities (e.g. committees, discussions, meetings) through which Health Canada consults the OLMCs and dialogues with them to identify their needs and priorities or to understand potential impacts on their development; activities (e.g. round tables) to explore possibilities for cooperation within the existing mandate of Health Canada or as part of developing a new program or new policy; participation in consultations with OLMCs coordinated by other government bodies; consultation of OLMCs by regional offices to determine their concerns and needs.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
The OLMCs have the opportunity to make their needs known and to explain obstacles to accessing Health Canada's programs . The OLMCs are part of the regular clientele of the regional offices and are taken into consideration when new departmental programs and policies are implemented. |
1. Subject to funding approval, Health Canada Alberta, Northwest Territories Region created a partnership with the University of Ottawa to conduct a research that will provide provincial statistical data on Alberta's OLMCs. |
1. Funding has not been approved. The Official Language Coordinator is looking at other funding possibility for this project. |
| 2. The Official Languages Coordinator continued to work with branch representatives to ensure that the Francophone communities had access to all information about Health Canada programs and funding in the Alberta/Northwest Territories Region. | 2. The Annuaire (the Francophone phone book) has been distributed to all branches and a list of Health Related Francophone stakeholders have been created and distributed to all branches. | |
| 3. The Regional Director General ensured adequate participation in Federal consultation held in the region. | 3. As the RDG's designate, the Regional Program Manager, Official Languages, reviewed and recommended invitees from Francophone stakeholder groups for each consultation held in the region. | |
| 4. Ongoing contacts with Francophone communities kept us informed of current issues in order to recognize opportunities for interaction. | 4. The Official Language Coordinator attended more then 30 meetings/conferences with OLMCs in the province and in the Northwest Territories. Attended the Réseau santé albertain's Board of director meetings and Annual General Meeting. |
C. Communications
External communications activities to inform OLMCs about the activities, programs and policies of Health Canada and to promote the bilingual character of Canada; inclusion of OLMCs in all information lists and distribution lists; use of the Health Canada's Web site to communicate with OLMCs.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
OLMCs receive up-to-date information on Health Canada's programs and services by various vehicles of communication. Health Canada becomes a regular user of OLMC media by buying antenna time and advertising space from them. |
1. The Official Languages Coordinator informed/invited OLMCs to participate to Information sessions and/or training offered within the four Western Provinces. |
1. Health related stakeholders and the Francophone media have been invited to attend a press conference announcing 2 Primary Health Care Transition Fund projects. Minimum 75 people attended. |
| 2. The Office ensured visibility of OLMCs as interested stakeholders. | 2. Names of Alberta Health stakeholders were submitted to the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, to join the Canadian delegation at the 2i P me Conférence internationale francophone sur le contrôle du tabac, held in Paris, France in September 2005. |
D. Coordination And Liaison
Coordination of activities (research, studies, meetings, etc) carried out by Health Canada itself along with other federal departments or other levels of government; participation in activities organized by other federal departments or other levels of government, etc; participation of official languages champions, national and regional coordinators, etc., in various government forums.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Coordinators are using the best practices that have been presented at various forums, retreats or at meetings of national coordinators responsible for section 41 of the OLA. Health Canada is working with multiple partners to meet the priorities of the OLMCs. |
The Official Languages Coordinator: 1. was and still is an active member of the Interdepartmental Network Official Language Coordinators of Alberta (INOLCA) and led the Part VII sub-committee. |
The Official Languages Coordinator: 1. participated to the monthly meetings. In November 2005 she became the Chair of INOLCA. This appointment provided opportunities to collaborates in the development of horizontal initiatives. |
| 2. worked closely with its different partners, such: Alberta Federal Council, University of Ottawa. | 2. sat on 2 committees under the Alberta Federal Council; the Quality Services Committee and the Interdepartmental Network of Official Language Coordinators of Alberta. She was in contact with a group of researchers from the University of Ottawa to participate in research studies on OLMCs health. | |
| 3. examined ways to cultivate stronger ties between OLMC and Health Canada. | 3. attended the Federal Interdepartmental meetings in Edmonton and Yellowknife and more then 30 other OLMCs meetings/conferences in and outside the province. Attendance at these meetings/conferences provided opportunities to create lasting relationship between the Department and OLMCs and also provided opportunities for horizontal initiatives. | |
| 4. The Regional Director General developed awareness at Alberta Federal Council meetings. | 4. As Chair of the Alberta Federal Council's Service Committee the Regional Director General led many interdepartmental initiatives and clearly identified OL components in each activities. | |
| 5. The Regional Director General committed to being an active Health Canada participant on the Services Committee for the Alberta Federal Council and intergovernmental working group to promote Francophone initiatives. | 5. The Regional Director General Chaired the Service Committee and support Francophone initiatives participation. |
E. Funding And Program Delivery
Implementation of Health Canada's programs and delivery of its services; funding, alone or in cooperation with other federal departments/agencies of OLMC projects; inclusion of needs of OLMCs when delivering the department's programs and services.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
The OLMCs have access to Health Canada's programs. The department takes account of the geographical dispersion of the OLMCs in delivering its programs. |
1. The Office worked with Branches to identify funding opportunities that had an OLMC component. |
1. The Official Languages Coordinator gave presentations to branches on the IPOLC initiative from Canadian Heritage and provided to each Branch a updated list of health stakeholders. |
F. Accountability
Activities through which Health Canada integrates its OLA section 41 implementation work with the department's planning and accountability mechanisms (e.g. report on plans and priorities, departmental performance report, departmental business plan, status report on implementation of section 41 of the OLA, etc); internal audits and evaluations of programs and services, regular review of programs and services and of policies by senior managers of Health Canada to ensure implementation of section 4 of the OLA.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Systematic evaluations and regular internal audits are being made and they always include criteria pertaining to the way policies, programs and services have affected OLMCs. |
1. Accountability was included as part of the Performance Discussion Process for designated managers. |
1. Official languages accountability was part of Regional Directors' performance (for designated branches and directorates). |
| 2. Official Languages component has been identified in the regional Business plan. | 2. Official languages has been included in the Alberta/NWT Region 2005-2008 Business Plan as one of its ongoing commitments under the sustaining agenda. | |
| 3. Health Canada Alberta/Northwest Territories Region developed and strengthened ties with OLMCs in the region. The Official Languages Coordinator promoted the new official languages policy to increase awareness and to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act . | 3. Through numerous initiatives and ongoing dialogue, the Official Languages Coordinator kept OLMCs engaged in Health Canada's plans, informing and encouraging them to participate when possible. | |
4. The success of these activities depended on the funding of the Official Languages Coordinator position. |
4. A national Business Case has been submitted to the AsDM requesting permanent funding for the Official Languages Coordinators positions. |
Top of PageHealthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
A. Awareness
Training, information, orientation, awareness & communication activities carried out in house in order to educate employees and/or senior managers of Health Canada about linguistic duality and the priorities of OLMCs; senior manager performance contracts and recognition programs; taking the viewpoint of OLMCs into account during research, studies and investigations.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Employees and senior managers are aware of the importance of promoting the bilingual character of Canada. Branches, division and/or regions are informed about linguistic duality and OLMCs and they understand their responsibilities to OLMCs. They consult on a continous basis with OLMCs with regard to new priorities, initiatives, policies and programs. |
1. OLMC awareness and the promotion of its importance within HECSB. |
1. Presentation given to regional managers by Official Languages Coordinator. |
B. Consultations
Activities (e.g. committees, discussions, meetings) through which Health Canada consults the OLMCs and dialogues with them to identify their needs and priorities or to understand potential impacts on their development; activities (e.g. round tables) to explore possibilities for cooperation within the existing mandate of Health Canada or as part of developing a new program or new policy; participation in consultations with OLMCs coordinated by other government bodies; consultation of OLMCs by regional offices to determine their concerns and needs.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
The OLMCs have the opportunity to make their needs known and to explain obstacles to accessing Health Canada's programs . The OLMCs are part of the regular clientele of the regional offices and are taken into consideration when new departmental programs and policies are implemented. |
1. Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme (DSCSP) promoted Francophone project submissions and facilitated projects of Francophone population groups. |
1. Francophone proposals were gained through communications with the Official Languages Coordinator. |
| 2. The Product Safety Programme (PSP) was prepared to respond to the inquiries and complaints related to the Hazardous Products Act's mandate and to cosmetic regulations from Francophone media, NGOs, business community, and citizens in a timely manner. | 2. Francophone inquiries were addressed in collaboration with the Communications Branch. | |
| 3. The Tobacco Control Program (TCP) made OLMC a priority for G&C funds for the 2005/06 year. | 3. The Tobacco Control Programme pledged a portion of the budget for every G&C, contract, and O&M-funded project to French translation of appropriate materials. Official Languages representation was written-into all contracts and requests for proposals. |
C. Communications
External communications activities to inform OLMCs about the activities, programs and policies of Health Canada and to promote the bilingual character of Canada; inclusion of OLMCs in all information lists and distribution lists; use of the Health Canada's Web site to communicate with OLMCs.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
OLMCs receive up-to-date information on Health Canada's programs and services by various vehicles of communication. Health Canada becomes a regular user of OLMC media by buying antenna time and advertising space from them. |
1. Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme liaised with l'Association canadienne francaise de l'Alberta (ACFA). |
1.The Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme maintained contact with ACFA and increased communications with Réseau santé albertain. |
| 2. The Product Safety Programme published materials on chemical safety for children geared toward Francophone communities who may benefit from this information. All Product Safety Programme publications and educational materials were available in French as well as in English. | 2. French language materials were available. | |
| 3. All Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme (WHPSP) information and educational materials were made available in French as well as in English. | 3. Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme materials were available. | |
| 4. The Tobacco Control Programme translated materials (including web-based materials) into French. | 4. The Tobacco Control Programme's Retailer Tool Kit was translated and distributed with the assistance of the OL Coordinator. |
D. Coordination And Liaison
Coordination of activities (research, studies, meetings, etc) carried out by Health Canada itself along with other federal departments or other levels of government; participation in activities organized by other federal departments or other levels of government, etc; participation of official languages champions, national and regional coordinators, etc., in various government forums.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Coordinators are using the best practices that have been presented at various forums, retreats or at meetings of national coordinators responsible for section 41 of the OLA. Health Canada is working with multiple partners to meet the priorities of the OLMCs. |
1. The Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme worked with the City of Bonnyville FCSS, AADAC on a project that engaged its large French-speaking community in the project. |
1. A Francophone representative sat on the Bonnyville project's Steering Committee. |
E. Funding And Program Delivery
Implementation of Health Canada's programs and delivery of its services; funding, alone or in cooperation with other federal departments/agencies of OLMC projects; inclusion of needs of OLMCs when delivering the department's programs and services.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
The OLMCs have access to Health Canada's programs. The department takes account of the geographical dispersion of the OLMCs in delivering its programs. |
1. Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme accomplished this via web solicitation (translation of the G&C database was ongoing). |
1. In collaboration with the OL Coordinator, the Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme received proposals from OLMC. |
| 2. Tobacco Control Programme accomplished this via web solicitation. | 2. The Tobacco Control Programme worked with the OL Coordinator to identify appropriate OLMCs from which to solicit proposals. |
F. Accountability
Activities through which Health Canada integrates its OLA section 41 implementation work with the department's planning and accountability mechanisms (e.g. report on plans and priorities, departmental performance report, departmental business plan, status report on implementation of section 41 of the OLA, etc); internal audits and evaluations of programs and services, regular review of programs and services and of policies by senior managers of Health Canada to ensure implementation of section 4 of the OLA.
| Main expected results for the period covered by the action plan | Main activities carried out for the year covered by the status report | Progress (results) achieved for the year covered by the status report |
|---|---|---|
Systematic evaluations and regular internal audits are being made and they always include criteria pertaining to the way policies, programs and services have affected OLMCs. |
1. Annual review completed. |
1. Annual Official Languages reports were prepared in collaboration with the Official Languages Coordinator. Official Languages reports were submitted on time. Most objectives were met. |
