#OLDay 2024 – Video message
Video / September 12, 2024
Transcript
Hello members of the Defence Team, I'm Major-General Simon Bernard, Deputy Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command and the Defence Team's Co-Champion of Official Languages.
Hello, my name is Geneviève Binet, I am the Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs) within the Department of National Defence and Co-Champion of Official Languages.
Today, September 12th, 2024, marks the 15th Official Languages Day in Canada, under the theme "Our languages in ACTION!"
Our languages in ACTION! encourages the exploration and promotion of our official languages in all their forms. It is a theme that inspires commitment and collaboration to support and promote community cohesion in a rapidly changing world.
Our Official Languages are essential tools for the integration, inclusion, learning and dialogue that bring us together and set us apart from the rest of the world. We need to value them, protect them, and keep them alive so that they continue to flourish. They are a precious heritage that defines who we are as Canadians and makes us envied around the world.
Learning our Official Languages helps to break down cultural barriers and promotes openness to others. By developing our language skills, we expand our ability to dialogue and collaborate with other cultures.
At the Defence Team, we are supporting you in achieving your second official language learning goals. For example, ADM(HR-Civ) offers the opportunity for language training. This offer is intended for all Defence Team members to help you meet the language requirements of your position, exercise leadership in both Official Languages, meet the current and future requirements of the organization, and improve or maintain your second official language skills.
All Defence Team members can be evaluated in their second official language, and in the Peoplesoft system, you can also view your official SLE results.
Military Personnel Command has set up a mentoring program that has been very successful. They organize informal discussion groups to support learners in their quest to learn their second official language. This makes it possible to strengthen the maintenance of what has been learned in our second official language.
DND/CAF will continue to relentlessly pursue its commitment to promoting the effective and equal use of official languages in our workplace. The Official Languages Strategy for the DND and the CAF provides direction on how to improve the Official Languages program in our workplace and promote an evolution of organizational culture that reflects the values enshrined in the Official Languages Act.
From 2023 to 2028, DND and the CAF are implementing an Official Languages Action Plan to continue promoting a culture of respect for individual OL rights.
To mark Official Languages Day, we invite you to participate in locally organized initiatives at your respective bases, wings and organizations. We look forward to seeing images of your celebrations!
Take advantage of the #OLDay to celebrate French and English and discover and learn about the talents and realities of Canadians and the work of minority community organizations.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating this important day.
Happy Official Languages Day to all.
Hello. I'm MCpl Autmizguine, aeronautical technician aboard HMCS Vancouver, currently on Operation HORIZON, and I'd like to wish everyone a happy Official Languages Day.
Good day everyone. My name is Armatissa Santinadan. I am with the Director Anti-Racism Implementation within the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture. I’m just checking in to wish you all a Happy Official Languages Day.
Hello. I'm an aviation technician from Bagotville. I'm on Operation UNIFIER in Poland and I'd like to wish you a happy Official Languages Day.
Hello, my name is Marc Faubert and I'm an official languages policy advisor for the Director of Official Languages. I'm speaking to you in my second official language.
From coast to coast our official languages, English and French play a vital role in our communities, connecting us in ways that words alone cannot express.
Let's continue to embrace and celebrate the diversity of languages that enrich our nation.
Wishing you a very happy Official Languages Day.
Hi, my name is S1 Contois, member of HMCS Shawinigan, currently deployed on Operation REASSURANCE, as part of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group One, currently located in Rostock, Germany. Speaking in both official languages enhances our operational effectiveness. I'd like to wish everyone a very happy Languages Day.
Hello, my name is Julie Mathieson and I work for the Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture in Ottawa. Having an Official Languages Day is a way of recognizing our richness and diversity, but it's much more than that. It's also a way of recognizing that things of value shouldn't be taken for granted, and that sometimes we need to put them in the spotlight from time to time. I wish you a fabulous Official Languages Day. See you soon.