Recourse for official languages (Department of National Defence employees)

During your career with the Department of National Defence (DND), you may face problems with your official languages (OL) rights in the workplace.

This webpage explains how you can resolve these issues using informal and formal approaches and identifies internal and external recourse options. In addition, refer to the landing page Official languages for the Defence community for more information and resources.

Resolving informally at the lowest level

We recommend resolving issues at the lowest level possible within the organization. Begin with an informal conversation with the responsible manager or leader and escalate to higher levels of formality and area of responsibility if you are not satisfied with the outcome.

You can contact Conflict Solutions and Services to discuss the issue and determine which recourse options are best for you and your situation. 

Your local Coordinator of Official Languages (COL) can help you with resolving OL issues informally as well as filing a formal OL complaint. Every Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Base, Wing, support group, and DND Level 1 (L1) organization is assigned a COL. You will find a coordinator list only on the Defence Wide Are Network (DWAN). The COLs advise leadership and managers on their official languages roles and responsibilities according to the Official Languages Act (OLA). COLs are also responsible for promoting OL rights awareness about:

• OL in the workplace,
• official communications and services involving the public,
• OL in professional development and second language instruction, and
• the availability of personalized services in both official languages.

Filing a formal OL complaint

1. Internal complaint resolution with the Director Official Languages

If you believe the DND or the CAF have infringed your OL rights, you may file an OL complaint in your name or anonymously with the DND/CAF Director Official Languages (DOL). You will find the DOL’s coordinates only on the DWAN.

You may send your complaint by e-mail to DOL.complaints-DLO.plaintes@forces.gc.ca.

When filing your complaint, be sure to provide the following information:

• your name, telephone number, and return address (unless you are filing an anonymous complaint);
• a short summary of the incident or situation that includes date, time, location, and supporting documents, if applicable; and
• any other details that may help with the investigation.

For more information, contact your Coordinator of Official Languages.

2. External complaint resolution with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your complaint with the DOL, you can escalate your complaint by contacting The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (OCOL).

The OCOL is an agency of Parliament that ensures federal institutions follow the OLA and intervenes when they don’t carry out their OL duties. Learn more about official language rights by visiting the OCOL website.

If the OCOL notifies you of a decision to refuse or discontinue your complaint, you may apply for a court remedy in Federal Court. The Federal Court Registry Office has more information on this process.