Framework / context of official languages of Canada, in the federal public service, and at the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC or Institute)
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Canadian Constitution recognizes English and French as the official languages of Canada
Official languages of Canada
- 16. (1) English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982, PART I, CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
The purpose of the Official Languages Act is to:
- ensure respect for English and French and ensure equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in federal institutions;
- support the development of English and French linguistic minority communities; and
- advance the equal status and use of English and French.
The Official Languages Act ensures that federal government institutions can communicate and provide services in both English and French so that Canadian citizens can comfortably speak in the official language of their choice. Although the Official Languages Act is key to promoting the use of French and English in Canadian society, it does not regulate the use of official languages for provincial/territorial and municipal governments, nor for Canadian private companies.
PIPSC - Our Purpose, Mandate, Values and Strategy
Our Purpose
Building community to act collectively to improve our members’ lives.
Our Mandate
Our mandate is to provide the highest quality representation to members collectively and individually
- by providing effective bargaining, labour relations and other member services,
- by actively promoting and defending the rights and interests of members,
- by vigorously safeguarding and promoting professional standards.
Our Values
Our enduring values are:
- Respect as the basis for our dealings with members, employees, colleagues, and employers. It means being sensitive and responsive to the rights of individuals.
- Integrity as a cornerstone of our organization. It means that the Institute and its members act with honesty and fairness based on sound moral and ethical principles.
- Co-operation as the foundation for meeting the challenges of the future. It means building partnerships and working together toward common goals.
- Accountability as our commitment to ensure all of our values are respected. It means informing our members of our actions and being answerable to them for those actions.
The Institute’s By-Laws and Regulations, establishes official languages of English and French to which each member is entitled to deal with and receive all services from the Institute in the official language of his/her choice. All written texts, By-Law, or resolution is recognized as valid in either official language.
BY-LAW 27 LANGUAGES
27.1 The official languages of the Institute shall be English and French.
27.2 Each member shall be entitled to deal with and receive all services from the Institute in the official language of his choice. All Institute general information materials shall be distributed simultaneously in both official languages.
27.3 The text of any By-Law, resolution or other written instrument shall be valid in either language provided that, in the event of a difference in interpretation or meaning between the English and French texts, the meaning in the language of the text of origin shall govern. […]
Resolution P6, carried at the 2015 AGM requires the Institute takes appropriate steps to ensure its own By-Laws regarding official languages are respected and that committee activities that fail to comply be discontinued.
P-6 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE INSTITUTE
Therefore, be it resolved that the Institute take all appropriate steps to ensure that its own By-Laws regarding official languages are respected; and
Be it further resolved that the Institute discontinue committee activities that fail to comply with its own By-Laws regarding official languages, including but not limited to the postponement of meetings, if applicable.
Working Group on Francization
Mandate
The Working Group (WG) provides advice and recommendations on language rights to the Board of Directors, especially with respect to French as a language of work. The WG also recommends ways to promote French within the Institute.
Responsibilities
- Conduct a language analysis and, if applicable, develop a francization program
- Support and promote the use of French through the website, publications, guides, contests, and so forth
- Carry out any other official languages duties assigned by the Board of Directors.
Duration
- Term to the end of 2016
20/21 March 2015
Board of Directors Minutes
Task Force on Official Languages (TFOL)
Duration
- Renamed to the Task Force on Official Languages (TFOL)
- Extended for 2016
12 August 2016
Board of Directors Minutes