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 Regional Executive Committee's Official Languages Regional Reference Group met quarterly, relayed pertinent information to members' respective units and reported to REC

1. A representative from each of the branches have been delegated by their director to sit as members of he Regional Committee's Official Languages Regional Reference Group (OLRRG); the mandate of the group has been drafted - to facilitate the Manitoba/Saskatchewan Region of Health Canada in determining and meeting its obligations and responsibilities under the Official Languages Act ; to develop suitable internal OL practices and strategies for the region that will result in meeting our obligations, and to identify and develop opportunities to support and assist in the development of the Francophone community in the Manitoba/Saskatchewan Region; to work with the Learning Centre and other resources in championing the maintenance of opportunities for regional staff and to support the collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination of Health Canada Manitoba/Saskatchewan Region's performance relating to the OLA.

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. Regional Official Languages coordinator participated on both Federal Councils steering committees, which includes community and provincial representatives; in Manitoba municipal representatives attended

1. Coordinator participated on the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Federal Councils sub-committees, chaired by different leaders of the federal and provincial governments, attended by the community and the province for joint initiatives, which contributes to the OLMC's development.

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. Travelling information display to francophones regions allowed community exchanges and provided information and resources, which is an essential first step in community development. The Health Canada website was promoted.

1. From the end of February to the beginning of April (francophone month) the regional official languages coordinator travelled in the community to meet cultural centres representatives, provincial executive directors, school teachers, librarians and community members with a roll-up display and examples of various HC resources, publications, pamphlets. Since year one the regional official languages coordinator has improved in the distribution of resources needed by the community. For this year 2005-2006 the needs were the resources needed to create 12 health corners in various locations across the province with literature that would fill the needs of the community. Of the 40 boxes of resources the regional official languages coordinator had organized by the third town 20 boxes had been distributed. This distribution warrants continuation. After every trip a greater number of literature is circulated in the provinces; an increase of Health Canada information and services

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. Official Languages coordinator has participated in national meetings.

1. Official Languages coordinator participated in the Congr P s national de la Commission nationale des parents francophones: Congr P s national 2006 sur la petite enfance et la santé - Saisir le moment, 11 février 2006; partnerships were increased with OLMCs

4. The Office held interdepartmental meetings to explore joint funding of OLMCs

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. Official Languages Coordinators provided support to staff in various branches and directorates to ensure OLMC access to funding and services

1. Tobacco Reduction Strategy continues to work with Regional Official Languages coordinator to provide tobacco resources in French to the francophone community. The ROLC distributes the resources during her visits to the French community. This year the bilingual Poster Child display unit was used the OL presentations and displays.

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. Regional Executive Committee Official Languages Regional Reference Group reports to Regional Executive Committee on the implementation of its Official Languages Horizontal Action Plan.

1. A member of the OLRRG presents her report to REC at every meeting reflecting the implementation of REC's Action Plan; an analysis for compliance is done.

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. Directorate included one article written in French in each regional newsletter.

1. An article in French has been included in each regional newsletter; this action heightens awareness of employees and managers on the OLMC

2. Directorate produced products for internal events in a bilingual format.

2. Directorate produced bilingual products internally to show their respect of official requirements and to serve as an example to employees and managers of HC

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.

Directorate provided advice and planning to ensure representation of French-stakeholders at consultations.

Attendance of OLMC representatives at all consultations (HECS, Media, Tobacco, etc.)

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.Coordinated departmental events, exhibits, public relations activities to ensure conformity with the OLA.

1. Participation of OLMC members at departmental events; ensures that Health Canada is more aware of and receptive to the needs of OLMC and that it consults them on its priorities, new initiatives, policies and programs

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. Directorate continued to act as liaison with federal networks in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as other federal committees, workings groups and networks to discuss official languages requirements of federal communications initiatives

1. Number of presentations were given by Regional OL coordinator to the Policy Analysis sub-committee of REC to raise awareness and their expertise; better understanding of OLMC

2.3. 4. Compliance with the OLA, both in regulations and in the spirit of the OLA

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.

Through the Policy Analysis sub-committee of the Regional Executive Committee:

1. Directorate provided a forum for the regional OL coordinator to promote the official languages agenda (e.g. the new OL Policy on OLMC dimensions and implications)

1. At all meetings, presentations by regional OL coordinator were made to the Policy Analysis sub-committee of the REC (scans) to present the OLMC to participants and make them aware of their existence and statistics available

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.

Provision of the Canada Health Act Annual Report 2004-2005 for distribution by regional OL coordinator to OLMC

Canada Health Act Annual Report 2004-2005 distributed to OLMCs (13 provincial organizations and 12 regional organizations)

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. On request, the Branch provided a broad health systems focus and/or information as input into environmental scans prepared by other Health Canada branches on OLMC issues

1. Five requests of Regional Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs provided input into environmental scans prepared by other HC branches on OLMC issues

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. Office forwarded information to the regional OL coordinator as it came to the attention of Regional Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs (eg. upcoming conferences, media information, or other reports prepared by Regional Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs), monthly

1. Information items were forwarded by Regional Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs to regional OL coordinator regarding areas of potential interests to OLMC (determinants of health through Population Health Funds

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. OLRRG updates were made a standing item during Regional Management Team meetings

1. Documentation reflects inclusion of OLRRG item at RMT; information distribution of linguistic duality and regard to new policies, initiatives, policies and programs using OLMC lens

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. HECS programmes included OLMC stakeholders in working groups, advisory panels and consultations

1. Ongoing inclusion and representation of OLMC; focus group of March 3 with the francophone youth of 19-24; following this focus group many of them were invited to attend a workshop in the NCR region in the new fiscal year

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. Distribution of Branch materials included OLMC stakeholders in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

1.2. Quantities of materials distributed in both OL; display booth at Agribition (Farm Progress Show) and at over 10 schools and community schools all through the year.

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 Branch meetings with other federal departments, provincial government representatives and Non-governmental Organizations ensured adequate representation of the interests of OLMC for any joint harm reduction ventures (safe environments, tobacco, alcohol and drugs, consumer products)

1. Emergence of an inventory of shared stakeholders lists, consultation materials, environmental scans, issue analysis, etc.

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. Updates to the annual reports and regional environmental scans included demographics and 'reach' inclusive of OLMC in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

2. Documentation available of OLMC participation, interests and priorities

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. The Branch ensured application of OL lens for planning and measurement in all programmes areas and Regional Director's Office

1. Visibility of OLMC's interests and priorities in work plans and documents.

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. During Rendez-vous de la francophonie week, Conseil jeunesse provincial (Manitoba) presented L'ABC de l'Histoire du français au Manitoba (ABC of French history in Manitoba ) for employees.

1. Many employees attended in the Conseil jeunesse's presentation and came back with a better understanding of the OLMC

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. Ensured OLMC groups were included in the new stakeholders database being prepared

2. OLMC groups from both Manitoba and Saskatchewan are in the Stakeholders information Management System; invitations will be sent out at next stakeholders gathering

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. Regional branch participation on the OLRRG

1. Regional Director or alternate attended the meetings of the OLRRG; to develop and facilitate an integrated approach to regional official languages (OL) obligations and opportunities to support the offering of bilingual services

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. OL topic remains on the RD's performance report

1. OL is included on the RD's commitments and will be evaluated

2. One check per month conducted in house