Canadian Heritage’s Interdepartmental Coordination Network (Network 42)

Alternate format

Under section 41 of the Official Languages Act (OLA), the Government of Canada is committed to

• enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and
• fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

Network 42 members include

• the Interdepartmental Relations and Accountability Directorate (national headquarters);
• section 42 coordinators representing each of Canadian Heritage’s five administrative regions; and
• official languages managers.
• Network 42 creates opportunities for dialogue and fosters connections between federal institutions and official language minority communities (OLMCs).
• Network 42 developed an Interdepartmental Strategy 2021–2024 and a three-year work plan establishing priorities for each year.

Network 42’s vision

• Federal institutions know and understand their obligations under part VII of the OLA.
• Federal institutions take positives measures and demonstrate concrete results under Part VII.
• Federal institutions view Network 42 members as experts in implementing Part VII.
• Senior members demonstrate a real commitment to official languages.
• The advancement of English and French and development of OLMCs are built into federal institutions’ processes.
• Members of OLMCs across Canada are thriving.
• Community members can live, learn and work in the official language of their choice.
• OLMCs enjoy greater visibility and recognition in Canada and abroad.
• English and French prosper in all communities in Canada.

Roles and responsibilities of interdepartmental coordination at PCH

• Offer coaching and provide bilateral liaison with federal institutions.
• Encourage and ensure interdepartmental coordination.
• Liaise with key stakeholders at PCH and in the federal government.
• Coordinate and participate in governance networks and interdepartmental working groups.
• Liaise with community representatives in the field.
• Exercise and encourage sectoral or thematic coordination to maximize federal institutions’ potential for action with OLMCs.
• Coordinate section 41 of the OLA within PCH.

Capacities of interdepartmental coordinators

• Know what is happening in official languages across government, in federal institutions, in areas of action and in OLMCs.
• Effectively communicate all current and relevant information to federal partners and OLMCs – information officer.
• Facilitate positive and lasting working relationships among federal institutions, various areas of action and OLMCs – public relations officer.
• Advise and influence federal institutions and various areas of action on measures to implement section 41.
• Create and innovate in methods to help implement section 41.

Main Interdepartmental Coordination Mechanisms by Region

• British Columbia Federal Council Official Languages Committee (BCFCOLC)
• Prairies Official Languages Committee (POLC)
• Saskatchewan Interdepartmental Network of Official Languages (SINOL)
• Interdepartmental Network of Official Languages Coordinators of Alberta (INOLCA)
• Manitoba Interdepartmental Network of Official Languages (MINOL)
• Ontario Official Languages Interdepartmental Network (OOLIN)
• Quebec Federal Council Advisory Committee on Official Languages
• Bilingual NWT Official Languages Committee
• Network 41 — National Section
• Network 41 — Atlantic Region
• Network 42

Network 42’s priorities for 2021–2024

Build more coordinated and closer connections between Canadian Heritage (national and regions) and other federal institutions

• Objective: A common and uniform understanding of interdepartmental coordination is shared regionally and nationally, contributing to Network 42’s greater effectiveness.

Increase awareness, accountability and mobilization of senior management at Canadian Heritage and in other federal institutions

• Objective: Federal institutions are informed of communities’ priorities and issues, are made aware of the diversity of those communities, are better equipped to implement section 41, and recognize the important role they can play to support OLMCs and advance English and French in Canadian society.

Strengthen collaboration and coordination between OMLCs and federal institutions

• Objective: New collaborations and partnerships are established between federal institutions and OLMCs, nationally and regionally.

Network 42’s Interdepartmental Strategy

The Strategy’s focus areas were identified as follows to address current issues and guided the development of Network 42’s 2021–2024 work plan.

Awareness

Given Canadian Heritage’s mandate under the OLA to “encourage and promote” the implementation of the federal commitments set out in section 41, awareness is Network 42’s primary purpose.

Partnerships

To fulfil its mandate under the OLA both nationally and regionally, Network 42 works with federal institutions and community groups, and ensures coordination of interdepartmental and intersectoral working groups, while taking part in different networks.

Leadership

Network 42 will continue its efforts to reach out to public service leaders by suggesting concrete actions that will help them influence their peers in federal institutions.

Continuous improvement

Network 42 must continue to develop the skills necessary to fulfil Canadian Heritage’s interdepartmental coordination mandate.