Patrick Borbey President of the Public Service Commission of Canada / Appearance at the Standing Committee on Official Languages December 8, 2020

Table of Contents

Notice of meeting

Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

43rd Parliament, 2nd Session

Meeting 10

Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Room 425, Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street

Webcast

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Government’s Ability to Deliver Information in Both Official Languages

Witnesses

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Association de la presse francophone

East Island Network for English Language Services

Community Health and Social Services Network

Public Service Commission

Speaking Notes for Patrick Borbey

President of the Public Service Commission of Canada

On the

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the government’s ability to deliver information in both official languages

House of Commons’

Standing Committee on Official Languages

December 8, 2020

4:30pm to 5:30pm

Check against delivery

Introduction

Mr. Chair, thank you for inviting me to appear before the Committee today. I want to begin by acknowledging that we are on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg people.

I am pleased to have in attendance with me my colleague Susan Dubreuil, acting Director General of the Personnel Psychology Centre.

I would like to share what my organization has done to quickly adapt and ensure that our obligations under the Official Languages Act were respected during the pandemic. I will also discuss actions the Public Service Commission (PSC) took to ensure that departments and agencies were able to staff bilingual positions, including those in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Finally, I will provide some data on public service staffing that I hope the committee will find useful for its study.

What the PSC has done to quickly adapt and ensure that obligations under the Official Languages Act were respected during the pandemic

To respect our obligations under the Official Languages Act (Act) during the pandemic, the PSC quickly adapted to changing circumstances. The department took action, both internally with its employees, in accordance with Part V of the Official Languages Act as well as in communications and services with its clients and with the public, in accordance with Part IV of the Act.

Since last March, all communications with employees have continued to be in both official languages (OL) simultaneously. This includes frequent email messages from myself, COVID-19 updates, and any other internal communications to employees.

Over the past 9 months, we held three virtual bilingual all-staff meetings. We have been finding innovative solutions to deliver these events with simultaneous interpretation. In my role as leader of the organization, I raise official languages obligations with my executive management team on a regular basis, and I insist that employees have the right to write and speak in their preferred official language.

When dealing with the public, all communications with Canadians have continued to be in both official languages, and released simultaneously in both French and English.

This includes the content on our website and social media, answering public inquiries, and providing information sessions to job seekers. Prior to, and throughout the pandemic, I have ensured that, when invited to participate in any event, I always deliver my remarks in both official languages.

In response to the pandemic, the PSC has partnered with Health Canada, in establishing an inventory of volunteers to support provinces, territories and the Canadian Red Cross in their urgent health services human resource needs. All materials were bilingual and communications with Canadians were in the official language of their choice.

The safety, security and well-being of our clients and employees is critical to our service delivery and in designing new staffing and assessment solutions, but never at the expense of the Official Languages Act.

Organizations’ responsibilities regarding official languages within the federal public service

There are several organizations with responsibilities regarding official languages within the federal public service.

In accordance with the Public Service Employment Act, Deputy Heads are responsible for establishing official language proficiency as an essential qualification required for the work to be performed. They are also accountable for ensuring their employees meet the official language requirements of their positions.

The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, part of the Treasury Board Secretariat, is responsible for policies related to languages in communications and services to the public, as well as official languages in the workplace. They are also responsible for establishing second official language qualification standards.

The PSC’s primary role is in the assessment of official languages, including the provision of second language evaluation (SLE) tests. 

For the assessment of proficiency in the second official language for bilingual positions, the PSC Appointment Policy requires that all departments and agencies in the core public administration use PSC tests. These second language evaluations are administered in PSC test centres across the country, as well as in selected departments and agencies. In addition, our tests are widely used by separate employers such as the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canadian Armed Forces.

These second official language tests ensure that merit is met with respect to staffing bilingual positions so that Canadians can be served in the official language of their choice, and public servants can work in the official language of their choice.

On an annual basis, the PSC conducts or oversees more than 100 000 second language tests. Our databases hold over 4 million test results, the majority of which are second language test results.

There are close to 86 000 bilingual positions in the federal core public administration, not counting separate agencies. This represents 43% of all core public administration positions.

Actions the PSC took to ensure that other agencies and departments were able to staff critical positions related to COVID-19

The pandemic has impacted government operations in many areas. In our case, it has affected the capacity to conduct in-person second language evaluation testing.

The PSC promptly put in place two temporary policy measures and supporting guidance. They provide more flexibility to departments and agencies in assessing second language requirements for appointments to bilingual positions. Both measures are meant to ensure that merit with regard to official languages and linguistic obligations provided by the Official Languages Act are respected.

These measures allowed Deputy Heads to recruit the bilingual talent needed to support efforts related to COVID-19 or to ensure the effective functioning of the Government of Canada.

A Pulse Survey with organizations was conducted to obtain feedback on these temporary measures and to give us a sense of their use.  The Survey showed that 90% of respondents indicated that the two measures were useful to respond to their staffing needs.

Furthermore, the PSC implemented new virtual Second Language Interviews for oral proficiency. These are administered remotely by PSC assessors to candidates in their own homes. Over 5 000 virtual interviews have been administered as of November 20th, 2020.

We also launched unsupervised internet testing to evaluate second language reading and writing skills. These tests are performed online by candidates in their home. 

We recognize that remote internet testing is the way of the future for second language evaluations. We are working diligently to incrementally enhance our remote testing to better meet the needs of departments and agencies, as well as those of Canadians who will no longer have to travel to our offices for tests. This is a priority for the PSC.

The PSC also continues to ensure that our tests are accessible to all Canadians, including those with disabilities. All new second language evaluations are reviewed by test development experts for accessibility and fairness. They are also available in multiple formats to accommodate the needs of diverse test takers.

I should note that we have informed the Office of the Official Languages Commissioner prior to implementing these measures.

Information regarding official languages

Before I close, let me share with you some interesting information and statistics on official languages and public service staffing. 

The public service attracts bilingual candidates and we continue to see improvements to that effect. The percentage of candidates to externally advertised job opportunities who identify themselves as bilingual has increased from 37.5% in 2018‑2019 to 38.4% in 2019-2020. And there are bilingual candidates in all parts of the country, not just in the National Capital Region.

We are also successful in attracting applicants from Official Language Minority Communities across the country. Last year, 10.8% of applicants to public service positions were from these communities, significantly above their representation in the Canadian population, which is 6.9%.

These results are a demonstration of the PSC’s commitment to official languages. In 2019-2020 alone, the PSC participated in 48 events with Official Language Minority Communities across the country to promote our recruitment programs. These included career fairs at bilingual or minority language academic institutions, as well as information sessions with official language community organizations and business groups.

These events help promote linguistic duality, enable the PSC to better understand the needs of these communities, and encourage their members to apply to federal public service jobs.

Conclusion

Linguistics duality is a fundamental value of the public service and is at the core of our merit-based, impartial staffing system. This is the responsibility of all federal organizations and all public servants. We recognize that the pandemic has brought many challenges to the delivery of programs and services to Canadians. We are committed to developing and deploying solutions that will protect and promote bilingualism and linguistic duality across the federal public service.

I am pleased to answer your questions.

Thank you.

Measures taken by the PSC to promote OL during the pandemic

  1. On March 20, 2020, the Commissioner of Official Languages wrote to all federal OL champions to remind them of the importance of communicating in both OL. The Human Resources Management Directorate (HRMD), along with OL co-champions, posted Update at the PSC messages to remind employees of the importance to respect OL in time of pandemic.
  2. The PSC made a particular effort during the pandemic to ensure that communication materials were released or posted simultaneously and of equal quality in both OL, including special measures throughout Q1 (April 1 to June 30, 2020): 
    • Overtime by available editors, translators, web coders, social media staff, Parliamentary affairs staff, media officers, strategic communications advisors, managers, Director and Director General;
    • Translation and editing done by qualified personnel in all teams and levels within Communications;
    • New processes to handle internally distributed editing and translation work;
    • New contract with a private translation firm capable of responding to timeliness and quality requirements (ongoing); and
    • Continued engagement with senior management to obtain consensus and approval on re-prioritizing and/or deferral of less urgent work (ongoing).
  3. The PSC ensured that Canadians would continue to be served in both OL during the pandemic:
    • The PSC conducts regular monitoring of Second Language Evaluation (SLE) results for its employees in bilingual positions. This monitoring is conducted by the Human Resources Management Directorate (HRMD).
    • Each Vice-President of the PSC receives a report concerning all employees, identifying OL test results that have expired or do not meet the profile of the position.
    • Management and managers must then take the necessary measures to ensure that their employees meet the language requirements of their position.
    • Two monitoring exercises roughly correspond to the pandemic period: the February 2020 monitoring and the August 2020 monitoring.
    • The monitoring of SLEs gives us a good indication whether resources need to be reallocated to front-line services so that Canadians can continue to be served in both OL.
  4. The PSC had identified official languages considerations as part of its Business Continuity Plan or its Emergency Communications Plan ahead of the pandemic.
    • Official languages considerations are built into the structure of the PSC’s Business Continuity and Business Resumption Plan, which includes its Emergency/Crisis Communications Plan, via its governance. This applies to the version of the BCP (2015) that was in place in March 2020, as well as the recently updated BCP.
  5. The organization ensured that translation and editing services during the pandemic were used consistently, including using special measures throughout Q1 (April 1 to June 30, 2020) 
    • Overtime by available editors, translators, web coders, social media staff, Parliamentary affairs staff, media officers, strategic communications advisors, managers, Director and Director General;
    • Translation and editing done by qualified personnel within the entire Communications directorate;
    • New processes to handle internally distributed editing and translation work;
    • New contract with a private translation firm capable of responding to timeliness and quality requirements (ongoing); and
    • Continued engagement with senior management to obtain consensus and approval on re-prioritizing and/or deferral of less urgent work (ongoing).
  6. Of note, the PSC is currently completing the departmental self-assessment against the OCOL OL Maturity Model even though it is not required by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to do so. We expect the analysis to be complete this winter, which will allow to identify any required actions to be added to our 2021-2022 people management activities.
  7. Following the Executive Management Committee (EMC) meeting on August 27th, 2020, the President of the PSC invited employees to find alternative ways to promote bilingual meetings in remote work context. Here are two ideas that have been identified and are in development:
    • Tips for conducting bilingual meetings could be included when we send an invitation to a meeting on TEAMS;
    • Creation of wallpapers on TEAMS with information on good practices for conducting bilingual meetings.

Background information on Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Temporary Measures

Supporting tools

Second Language Evaluation

1. Moved to remote fulfillment of e-test orders.

PSC shifted staff to remote work and continued to fill departmental orders for its standard e-tests to departments able to administer the tests at their own test centres (e.g. Canadian Forces).

2. Implemented new remote oral test.

3. New UIT reading and writing tests.

4. PSC Onsite Testing Centres

Volumes - Second Language Evaluations

Test of Reading Comprehension

Test of Reading Comprehension

2018‑2019

2019-2020

April 1 to October 31, 2020

Online

29,616

29,383

1,710

Paper

1,708

1,971

65

SLE UIT (New-Covid)

0

0

1,350

Total

31,324

31,354

3,125

Test of Written Expression

Test of Written Expression

2018‑2019

2019-2020

April 1 to October 31, 2020

Online

35,906

36,192

2,056

Paper

1,732

2,144

69

SLE UIT (New-Covid)

0

0

1,966

Total

37,638

38,336

4,091

Oral Proficiency Test

Oral Proficiency Test

2018‑2019

2019-2020

April 1 to October 31, 2020

TOP/MTOP

30,497

31,111

39

SLE interview (New-Covid)

0

0

4,159

Total

30,497

31,111

4,198

Recent engagement with Official Languages Minority Communities

In the current fiscal year, engagement with Official Languages Minority Communities (OLMCs) has been impacted by the pandemic with the complete cessation of in-person outreach events. While it has been challenging for organizations to adjust to completely virtual outreach forums, the Public Service Commission (PSC) continues to reach out to OLMC academic institutions and associations to promote careers in the federal public service and to provide information sessions on how to apply.
Examples of outreach events in 2020-2021 include:

In 2019-2020, the PSC participated in 48 external events related to OLMCs across Canada, with the objective of promoting careers in the federal public service and providing information to job seekers on how to apply. These included career fairs at bilingual or OLMC academic institutions, information sessions with official language community organizations and business groups. A total of 4,476 participants were present at these events. Examples of events include:

Other information

In 2020-2021, the PSC continues to:

Key Points

Applicant data:

Bilingual positions:

The following information comes from the TBS Annual Report on Official Languages 2018–19:

Unique Applicants (External) to the public service by first official language and fiscal year

Key Observations:

In 2019-2020, the first official language of 76.5% (310,339) of applicants to external processes was English whereas 23.5% (95,567) was French. This is roughly consistent with previous years.  This is roughly consistent with previous year. These calculations exclude unknowns (1,768).

Slightly more than 3/4 of unique applicants were anglophones and slightly less than 1/4 were francophones.

Outlier Analysis:

No significant variance from previous year.

Unique Applicants (External) to the public service by first official language and fiscal year

Year

Anglophone

Francophone

Unknown

Total

2010-2011

137,095

52,640

113

189,848

2011-2012

164,147

58,147

63

222,357

2012-2013

116,563

35,713

66

152,342

2013-2014

133,756

43,015

0

176,771

2014-2015

148,426

54,691

0

203,117

2015-2016

176,137

63,819

0

239,956

2016-2017

183,959

67,990

14,267

266,216

2017-2018

221,628

78,916

23,832

324,376

2018‑2019

329,482

100,578

2,648

432,708

2019-2020

310,339

95,567

1,768

407,674

Federal Student Work Experience Program

Year

Total

2016-2017

14,267

2017-2018

23,832

2018‑2019

2,648

2019-2020

1,768

Share of Unique Applicants (External) to the public service by first official language and fiscal year

Year

Anglophone

Francophone

2010-2011

72.3%

27.7%

2011-2012

73.8%

26.2%

2012-2013

76.5%

23.5%

2013-2014

75.7%

24.3%

2014-2015

73.1%

26.9%

2015-2016

73.4%

26.6%

2016-2017

73.0%

27.0%

2017-2018

73.7%

26.3%

2018‑2019

76.6%

23.4%

2019-2020

76.5%

23.5%

Source(s)

fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2010_2011, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2011_2012, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2012_2013, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2013_2014, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2014_2015, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2015_2016, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2016_2017, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2017_2018, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2018_2019, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2019_2020

Technical Notes:

Includes organizations subject to the Public Service Employment Act.         

Applicant data refers to information on selected characteristics (e.g. geographical area and educational profile) for applicants to externally advertised processes.

Excludes applications for cancelled advertisements.

Self-assessed language proficiency of external applicants, by fiscal year

Key Observations:

The percentage of self-assessed bilingual applicants to the public service increased from 37.5% in 2018‑2019 to 38.4% in 2019-2020. This excludes applicants to the Federal Student Work Experience Program.

The percentage of self-assessed bilingual applicants to the FSWEP program decreased from 43.4% in 2018‑2019 to 41.2% in 2019-2020.

Outlier Analysis:

No significant variance from previous year.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to Jobs Open to the Public, Post-Secondary Recruitment Program, Research Affiliate Program, and Recruitment of Policy Leaders Initiative, by fiscal year

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

139,685

37.5%

121,970

38.4%

Unilingual

232,822

62.5%

195,342

61.6%

Total

372,507

100.0%

317,321

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants within each recruitment program

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants within each recruitment program Job-opportunity open to the public

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

135,128

37.4%

115,317

38.0%

Unilingual

226,488

62.6%

187,921

62.0%

Total

361,616

100.0%

303,238

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

8,427

46.4%

12,363

49.8%

Unilingual

9,725

53.6%

12,451

50.2%

Total

18,152

100.0%

24,814

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Recruitment of Policy Leaders (RPL)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1,018

57.2%

1,555

53.6%

Unilingual

761

42.8%

1,362

46.7%

Total

1,779

100.0%

2,917

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Research Affiliate Program (RAP)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1,080

43.2%

1,258

41.5%

Unilingual

2,605

56.8%

1,772

58.5%

Total

4,585

100.0%

3,030

100.0%

             

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Table A

Self-assessed working ability in Canada's Official Languages of unique FSWEP applicants

Self-assessed working ability in Canada's Official Languages of unique FSWEP applicants

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Undeclared

2,156

2.9%

2,146

2.0%

English Only

38,796

51.7%

58,418

54.9%

French Only

1,454

1.9%

1,944

1.9%

Bilingual *

32,537

43.4%

43,866

41.2%

Total

74,979

100.0%

106,424

100.0%

             

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants overall to Jobs Open to the Public, Post-Secondary Recruitment Program, Research Affiliate Program, and Recruitment of Policy Leaders Initiative, by home region, by fiscal year

Alberta

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

5,095

14.8%

5,097

14.7%

Unilingual

29,324

85.2%

29,513

85.3%

Total

34,419

100.0%

34,610

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

British Columbia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

4,293

13.5%

3,762

14.8%

Unilingual

27, 406

86.5%

21,692

85.2%

Total

31,699

100.0%

25,454

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Manitoba

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,333

15.9%

2,032

15.8%

Unilingual

12,332

84.1%

10,813

84.2%

Total

14,665

100.0%

12,845

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

National Capital Region

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

35,507

60.7%

30,808

59.9%

Unilingual

22,955

39.3%

20,609

40.1%

Total

58,462

100.0%

51,417

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

New Brunswick

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

7,536

55.4%

6,938

57.5%

Unilingual

6,078

44.6%

5,127

42.5%

Total

13,614

100.0%

12,065

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

991

12.4%

821

12.7%

Unilingual

6,979

87.6%

5,641

87.3%

Total

7,970

100.0%

6,462

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Northwest Territories

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

119

22.0%

115

22.7%

Unilingual

422

78.0%

391

77.3%

Total

541

100.0%

506

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nova Scotia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,481

18.3%

2,239

19.4%

Unilingual

11,056

81.7%

9,290

80.6%

Total

13,537

100.0%

11,529

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nunavut

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

79

21.1%

73

20.1%

Unilingual

296

78.9%

291

79.9%

Total

375

100.0%

364

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Ontario (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

19,313

18.2%

16,385

19.8%

Unilingual

87,070

81.8%

66,182

80.2%

Total

106,383

100.0%

82,567

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Outside Canada

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,160

23.0%

2,262

23.8%

Unilingual

7,220

77.0%

7,238

76.2%

Total

9,380

100.0%

9,500

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Prince Edward Island

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

797

23.1%

737

21.9%

Unilingual

2,652

76.9%

2,628

78.1%

Total

3,449

100.0%

3,365

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Quebec (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

57,778

86.8%

49,671

86.6%

Unilingual

8,770

13.2%

7,677

13.4%

Total

66,548

100.0%

57,348

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Saskatchewan

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1,085

9.8%

943

10.6%

Unilingual

9,961

90.2%

7,987

89.4%

Total

11,046

100.0%

8,930

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Yukon

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

118

28.2%

96

26.7%

Unilingual

301

71.8%

263

73.3%

Total

419

100.0%

359

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to Jobs Open to the Public, by home region, by fiscal year

Alberta

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

4,917

14.7%

4,891

14.5%

Unilingual

28,516

85.3%

28,733

85.5%

Total

33,433

100.0%

33,624

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

British Columbia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

4,094

13.3%

3,466

14.2%

Unilingual

26,727

86.7%

20,909

85.8%

Total

30,821

100.0%

24,375

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Manitoba

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,284

15.9%

1,974

15.7%

Unilingual

12,119

84.1%

10,594

84.3%

Total

14,403

100.0%

12,568

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

National Capital Region

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

34,373

60.7%

28,942

59.6%

Unilingual

22,225

39.3%

19,654

40.4%

Total

56,598

100.0%

48,596

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

New Brunswick

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

7,387

55.3%

6,816

57.6%

Unilingual

5,969

44.7%

5,016

42.4%

Total

13,356

100.0%

11,832

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

948

12.1%

780

12.3%

Unilingual

6,890

87.9%

5,542

87.7%

Total

7,838

100.0%

6,322

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Northwest Territories

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

116

21.8%

113

22.7%

Unilingual

417

78.2%

384

77.3%

Total

533

100.0%

497

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nova Scotia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,360

17.9%

2,144

19.1%

Unilingual

10,802

82.1%

9,064

80.9%

Total

13,162

100.0%

11,208

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nunavut

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

78

21.0%

70

19.5%

Unilingual

294

79.0%

289

80.5%

Total

372

100.0%

359

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Ontario (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

18,561

18.0%

15,183

19.4%

Unilingual

84,511

82.0%

63,121

80.6%

Total

103,072

100.0%

78,304

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Outside Canada

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,019

23.0%

1,966

23.0%

Unilingual

6,757

77.0%

6,593

77.0%

Total

8,776

100.0%

8,559

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Prince Edward Island

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

762

22.7%

694

21.2%

Unilingual

2,601

77.3%

2,574

78.8%

Total

3,363

100.0%

3,268

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Quebec (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

56,045

86.8%

47,262

86.5%

Unilingual

8,554

13.2%

7,405

13.5%

Total

64,599

100.0%

54,667

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Saskatchewan

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1,070

9.8%

920

10.6%

Unilingual

9,810

90.2%

7,783

89.4%

Total

10,880

100.0%

8,703

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Yukon

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

114

27.8%

96

27.0%

Unilingual

296

72.2%

260

73.0%

Total

410

100.0%

356

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program (PSR), by home region, by fiscal year

Alberta

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

237

17.3%

353

22.3%

Unilingual

1,132

82.7%

1,227

77.7%

Total

1,369

100.0%

1,580

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

British Columbia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

253

21.6%

415

26.6%

Unilingual

916

78.4%

1,143

73.4%

Total

1,169

100.0%

1,588

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Manitoba

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

97

18.7%

108

18.2%

Unilingual

423

81.3%

484

81.8%

Total

520

100.0%

592

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

National Capital Region

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2,416

60.4%

3,907

62.8%

Unilingual

1,584

39.6%

2,312

37.2%

Total

4,000

100.0%

6,219

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

New Brunswick

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

214

64.8%

271

65.6%

Unilingual

116

35.2%

142

34.4%

Total

330

100.0%

413

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

55

23.3%

52

22.1%

Unilingual

181

76.7%

183

77.9%

Total

236

100.0%

235

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Northwest Territories

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2

66.7%

7

50.0%

Unilingual

1

33.3%

7

50.0%

Total

3

100.0%

14

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nova Scotia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

129

30.6%

155

29.0%

Unilingual

292

69.4%

380

71.0%

Total

421

100.0%

535

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nunavut

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

2

50.0%

5

62.5%

Unilingual

2

50.0%

3

37.5%

Total

4

100.0%

8

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Ontario (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1,078

21.7%

1,878

27.4%

Unilingual

3,892

78.3%

4,985

72.6%

Total

4,970

100.0%

6,863

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Outside Canada

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

161

25.8%

323

32.9%

Unilingual

462

74.2%

660

67.1%

Total

623

100.0%

983

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Prince Edward Island

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

15

23.8%

24

30.0%

Unilingual

48

76.2%

56

70.0%

Total

63

100.0%

80

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Quebec (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

3,725

89.9%

4,804

90.6%

Unilingual

419

10.1%

496

9.4%

Total

4,144

100.0%

5,300

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Saskatchewan

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

42

14.3%

61

14.3%

Unilingual

251

85.7%

365

85.7%

Total

293

100.0%

426

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Yukon

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

1

14.3%

0

0.0%

Unilingual

6

85.7%

8

100.0%

Total

7

100.0%

8

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), by home region, by fiscal year

Alberta

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

77

19.7%

49

18.3%

Unilingual

313

80.3%

219

81.7%

Total

390

100.0%

268

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

British Columbia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

83

20.9%

41

24.4%

Unilingual

314

79.1%

127

75.6%

Total

397

100.0%

168

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Manitoba

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

24

20.5%

15

24.6%

Unilingual

93

79.5%

46

75.4%

Total

117

100.0%

61

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

National Capital Region

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

688

58.3%

330

55.4%

Unilingual

493

41.7%

266

44.6%

Total

1,181

100.0%

596

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

New Brunswick

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

83

53.9%

47

44.8%

Unilingual

71

46.1%

58

55.2%

Total

154

100.0%

105

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

20

33.9%

19

32.8%

Unilingual

39

66.1%

39

67.2%

Total

59

100.0%

58

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Northwest Territories

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

4

44.4%

2

66.7%

Unilingual

5

55.6%

1

33.3%

Total

9

100.0%

3

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nova Scotia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

56

30.1%

28

26.2%

Unilingual

130

69.9%

79

73.8%

Total

186

100.0%

107

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nunavut

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

0

0.0%

3

75.0%

Unilingual

2

100.0%

1

25.0%

Total

2

100.0%

4

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Ontario (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

339

31.4%

233

30.4%

Unilingual

741

68.6%

533

69.6%

Total

1,080

100.0%

766

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Outside Canada

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

54

19.4%

58

19.9%

Unilingual

224

80.6%

233

80.1%

Total

278

100.0%

291

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Prince Edward Island

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

34

39.5%

36

47.4%

Unilingual

52

60.5%

40

52.6%

Total

86

100.0%

76

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Quebec (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

505

88.6%

389

85.7%

Unilingual

65

11.4%

65

14.3%

Total

570

100.0%

454

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Saskatchewan

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

9

13.2%

8

11.3%

Unilingual

59

86.8%

63

88.7%

Total

68

100.0%

71

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Yukon

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

4

50.0%

0

0.0%

Unilingual

4

50.0%

2

100.0%

Total

8

100.0%

2

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to the Recruitment of Policy Leaders (RPL) Initiative, by home region, by fiscal year

Alberta

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

38

38.0%

44

25.1%

Unilingual

62

62.0%

131

74.9%

Total

100

100.0%

175

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

British Columbia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

48

34.8%

83

30.1%

Unilingual

90

65.2%

193

69.9%

Total

138

100.0%

276

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Manitoba

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

5

23.8%

17

37.0%

Unilingual

16

76.2%

29

63.0%

Total

21

100.0%

46

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

National Capital Region

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

256

71.3%

454

70.2%

Unilingual

103

28.7%

193

29.8%

Total

359

100.0%

647

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

New Brunswick

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

12

66.7%

27

60.0%

Unilingual

6

33.3%

18

40.0%

Total

18

100.0%

45

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

11

50.0%

9

30.0%

Unilingual

11

50.0%

21

70.0%

Total

22

100.0%

30

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Northwest Territories

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Unilingual

0

0.0%

1

100.0%

Total

0

0.0%

1

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nova Scotia

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

13

46.4%

19

54.3%

Unilingual

15

53.6%

16

45.7%

Total

28

100.0%

35

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Nunavut

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Unilingual

2

100.0%

1

100.0%

Total

2

100.0%

1

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Ontario (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

222

36.9%

319

34.3%

Unilingual

379

63.1%

612

65.7%

Total

601

100.0%

931

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Outside Canada

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

38

48.1%

61

48.8%

Unilingual

41

51.9%

64

51.2%

Total

79

100.0%

125

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Prince Edward Island

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

0

0.0%

2

66.7%

Unilingual

3

100.0%

1

33.3%

Total

3

100.0%

3

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Quebec (except NCR)

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

368

96.8%

515

92.1%

Unilingual

12

3.2%

44

7.9%

Total

380

100.0%

559

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Saskatchewan

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

7

25.9%

5

11.6%

Unilingual

20

74.1%

38

88.4%

Total

27

100.0%

43

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Yukon

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Unilingual

1

100.0%

0

0.0%

Total

1

100.0%

0

0.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Self-assessed language proficiency of unique applicants to Jobs Open to the Public, Post-Secondary Recruitment Program, Research Affiliate Program, and Recruitment of Policy Leaders Initiative, by advertisement tenure, by fiscal year

Indeterminate

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

26,260

37.9%

20,964

40.2%

Unilingual

43,046

62.1%

31,246

59.8%

Total

69,306

100.0%

52,210

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Multiple

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

101,189

38.2%

90,868

38.6%

Unilingual

163,993

61.8%

144, 677

61.4%

Total

265,182

100.0%

235,545

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Seasonal

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

24

8.8%

105

46.9%

Unilingual

248

91.2%

119

53.1%

Total

272

100.0%

224

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Term

Language Proficiency

Count

2018‑2019

Percent

2018‑2019

Count

2019-2020

Percent

2019-2020

Bilingual *

12,212

32.4%

10,042

34.2%

Unilingual

25,535

67.6%

19,300

65.8%

Total

37,747

100.0%

29,342

100.0%

*A bilingual applicant is defined as an individual that self-assessed their language proficiency as intermediate or higher in both official languages.

Source(s):

fiscaldb.psrs_advertisements_2018_2019, fiscaldb.psrs_advertisements_2019_2020, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2018_2019, fiscaldb.psrs_applications_2019_2020

Technical Notes:

Includes organizations subject to the Public Service Employment Act.

An inventory advertisement that spans more than one fiscal year and for which at least one application is received during the given fiscal year will be counted as an advertisement in the same fiscal year.

Standard and alternative job advertisements that close within the fiscal year that are not cancelled will be reported in that same fiscal year.

An alternative advertisement that used the same identification number in multiple fiscal years is counted multiple times.

Regional breakdowns are not available for the Federal Student Work Experience Program applicants.

Summary of Implementing Section 91 of the Official Languages Act:

A Systemic Problem (November 2020)

Context

Key highlights of the report

Analysis of the problem

Overview of the findings of the Office of the Commissioner’s analysis

Interviews with federal institutions on implementing section 91 of the Act

Overview of the findings of the Office of the Commissioner’s interview process

Interviews with stakeholders on implementing section 91 of the Act

Conclusions

The Commissioner’s recommendations

The Office Of The Commissioner of Official Languages Summary

Context

Key highlights of the annual report

Modernization of the Official Languages Act

The Commissioner also provided the following recommendations:

Overview of the findings of the Office of the Commissioner’s survey

Language of Work

Federal Institutions and Official Languages

Pandemic

At the PSC, the Human Resources Management Directorate, along with the OL co-champions, posted messages in Le Point to remind employees of the importance to respect official languages in time of pandemic:

Appeal of the ruling in Dionne

On July 3, 2019, the Federal Court handed down its ruling on the provisions of the Act concerning the language of work in federal institutions.

The complainant, who works in the Montréal region, alleged that his language-of-work rights had been violated because he had been forced to work in English with his unilingual English-speaking colleagues at the Toronto office. The Court dismissed the application, maintaining that no violation had taken place.

Official Languages in Canadian Society

Francophone immigration targets

Key Highlights: The Impact Of Emergency Situations On Official Languages Report

Overview

Methodology

The PSC has no service fitting the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages’ definition of “emergency situations.”

Findings of the questionnaire

Language of work

Recommendations

The report provided the following overarching recommendations:

Recommendation 1

Recommendation 2

Recommendation 3

Considering the message on the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages’ Annual Report in Le Point as well as the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) asking related questions in the Management Accountability Framework, HRMD proposes the following recommendations:

HRMD OL Subject Matter Expert (SME) analyses the report to identify actions that are relevant to a) the entire Commission, and b) specific units in the organization (i.e. Security, Communications);

Summary of Canadian Heritage Annual Report on Official Languages 2018‑2019

Context

Key highlights

Overview

Amendments to the Official Languages

Launch of a Review with a view to modernizing the Official Languages Act

Supporting community stakeholders

Contracting and employment opportunities

Increasing Francophone immigration

FPT immigration action plan

Strengthening access to services

Support for minority language education

Promotion of official languages

Promotion of linguistic duality in Canada

Official Language Exemptions

Only persons appointed on a non-imperative basis to a bilingual position may be exempted from meeting official language proficiency requirements.

Both imperative and non-imperative staffing are the responsibility of the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

Imperative staffing is the norm:

“Bilingual positions are staffed by candidates who meet the language requirements at the time of their appointment to the position, except in exceptional staffing situations”, according to the Directive on Official Languages for the Management of People (section 5.2.3).

Exceptional situations where non-imperative staffing may be used are as follows:

Imperative staffing is mandatory for bilingual positions in the following situations (section 6.3.4) :

In organizations subject to the Public Service Employment Act, imperative staffing is mandatory for executives except in the following situations (Appendix 2) :

The choice of a non-imperative process must be justified in writing by the manager, who must ensure that measures are taken to ensure that the bilingual functions of the position are provided.

The TBS Directive stipulates that the provisions of the Public Service Official Languages Exclusion Approval Order apply when non-imperative staffing is used. The Directive specifies that these exclusions also apply to non-imperative transfers

There are special circumstances where a unilingual person is excluded from meeting the merit requirement for official language proficiency in a non-imperative appointment.

The Public Service Official Languages Exclusion Approval Order, which is administered by the Public Service Commission (PSC), sets out three circumstances:

The Public Service Official Languages Appointment Regulations also clarify the roles and responsibilities of deputy heads in the context of an agreement to become bilingual (sections 4, 5, 6 and 7).

The PSC is solely responsible for approving requests for exclusion on medical grounds, following receipt of a recommendation from Health Canada or the Canadian Hearing Society.

The other two exemptions are the responsibility of deputy heads. Deputy heads must report these annually to the PSC through the Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument, Appendix D.

Statistical Data on Exemptions

Year

Approved Medical Exemptions

Commitment to become bilingual over more than 2 years*

Eligibility for Immediate Annuity

Non-Imperative Appointments**

2019-2020

1

100

5

 

2018‑2019

2

55

5

 

2017-2018

5

31

8

 

2016-2017

0

31

6

 

2015-2016

1

39

5

 

2014-2015

7

44

3

100

2013-2014

3

64

4

126

2012-2013

5

134

2

143

2011-2012

6

201

2

243

Total Over 9 Years

31

730

40

 

Average per Year

3

81

4

153

*The PSC does not receive statistical data on commitments to become bilingual which meet the initial two-year period.

** We stopped asking this question in 2014-2015 to reduce administrative burden


Members Profile Standing Committee on Official Languages

December 2020

Emmanuel Dubourg

Bourassa, QC (Liberal)

Language Preference: French

Chair

Emmanuel Dubourg

Academic and professional background

His slogan is “Avèw Map Maché,” (“By your side.”)

Topics raised by Mr. Dubourg in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House of Commons

Black business owners

Black Canadians

Committee

Steven Blaney

Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, Qc (Conservative)

Language Preference: French

Vice-Chair

Steven Blaney

Steven Blaney was born in Sherbrooke and he grew up in Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce. Steven lives in Lévis, and he’s married to Marie Bouchard, they have two kids, William-Antoine and Alexandra. He graduated from Sherbrooke University and became a civil engineer in 1988 and he completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Lévis in 2012.

After he completed his studies, he’s worked as a consultant, an entrepreneur developing urban infrastructure and environmental technology. Steven has been an active member of the most important group of environment professionals in in Canada, ‘’Réseau Environnement’’, and he presided over the Chapter of Québec-Chaudière-Appalaches from 2003 to 2006.

Elected for the first time to the House of Commons in 2006, he was re-elected in 2008 and in 2011 as MP for Bellechasse–Les Etchemins–Lévis. Steven Blaney wants to contribute to the sustainable development of his riding. He’s proud to represent such a dynamic and diversified community, and he dedicates himself with passion to the service of his constituents.

Following his first election, Steven Blaney was appointed Vice-President of the Quebec Conservative Caucus. In October 2008, he became the President. He was a member of several House Committees including Indian Affairs, Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Given how important the Afghanistan Mission was, Steven joined the Defence Committee and participated on a trip to Kandahar in January 2006. On May 31st, 2007, Steven Blaney was given the responsibility to preside over The Standing Committee on Official Languages aimed at promoting linguistic duality everywhere in the country. Steven was also a member of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association.

Following the 2011 elections, Steven Blaney was appointed Veterans Affairs Minister. In February 2013, he received the additional responsibility of ‘’La Francophonie’’. In July 2013, Steven Blaney becomes Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister.

Topics raised by Mr. Blaney in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Official Language Act

Committee

Mario Beaulieu

La Pointe-de-l'Île, Qc (Bloc-Québécois)

Language Preference: French

Vice-Chair

Bio not available.  

Former leader of the Bloc-Québécois.

Topics raised by Mr. Beaulieu in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Federally regulated businesses

Bill 101

French in the federal public service

Work in French

Committee

Nil


René Arseneault

Madawaska—Restigouche, NB (Liberal)

Language Preference: French / English

Rene Arseneault

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Official Languages)

Madawaska—Restigouche

René Arseneault was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Madawaska—Restigouche in 2015.

A lifelong resident of the community and father of three, Mr. Arseneault has a deep understanding of local issues and the interests of his fellow residents.

A lawyer specializing in corporate law and civil litigation for more than 20 years, Mr. Arseneault established his own practice in 1996 with his spouse, Michèle Pelletier. He is fully bilingual, and a singer-songwriter and musician. He has also been involved in youth sports development for many years, specifically as a soccer and volleyball coach and assistant coach, and as a volunteer with the Jeux de l’Acadie.

From a young age, Mr. Arseneault has been involved in his community. Throughout his career, he has never hesitated to provide pro bono legal services to organizations in his region dedicated to economic, cultural, and community development.

In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Arseneault was a member of the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying. He also sat on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, the Standing Committee on Official Languages, and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Mr. Arseneault holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences with a major in Economics and a minor in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Moncton.

Topics raised by Mr. Arseneault in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Acadian assimilation

Public Service / Public Servants

Niki Ashton

Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, Man. (NDP)

Language Preference: English

Niki Ashton

Niki was first elected as MP for Churchill–Keewatinook Aski in 2008 when she was 26, and lives in her hometown of Thompson. She serves as the NDP’s Critic for Transport, and Deputy Critic for Women and Gender Equality.

Niki believes in true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. She is proud to work to bring together Indigenous peoples, students, labour, the LGBTQI2S+ community, and women in the pursuit of justice.

Niki is a strong voice in Ottawa for change because she’s unafraid of challenging the status quo. She’s fought hard to end crushing student debt, expand health care to include pharmacare and dental coverage, and protect the environment. 

Topics raised by Ms. Ashton in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Nil

Committee


Marc Dalton

Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC (Conservative)

Language Preference: English

Marc Dalton

Marc is a high school teacher who has served two terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly advocating for his constituents. Marc was raised in a Royal Canadian Air Force family. He also served in the Canadian Armed Forces and is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 88. Marc is Indigenous (Métis) and was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations in one of his portfolios. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in French and History and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Simon Fraser University.

On his mother’s side, Marc is French-Canadian and speaks the language. He was designated President of the non-partisan Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie and was the Legislative representative for British Columbia’s Francophones at both provincial and national events. Since his youth, Marc has volunteered for non-profit organizations such as with our local food bank and the Salvation Army as an outflow of his desire to support people. He is active in his local community church and is a former pastor.

Marc is proud of his public record standing up for residents and getting things accomplished locally and provincially: a new school in Albion, four-laning of Highway 7 between Maple Ridge and Mission, funding for many local organizations, housing for low-income seniors, an MRI machine for Ridge Meadows Hospital, more ambulances, a fitness tax break for families with children, restoration of school-busing and the list goes on. Marc is known for his tenacity and genuine concern for people. Marc gets things done and his years of experience as an MLA will help him to more effectively serve the residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows as a Conservative Member of Parliament.

Marc has been married to his wife Marlene for thirty-four years. They have three adult children.

Topics raised by Mr. Dalton in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Committee

Terry Duguid

Winnipeg South, Man. (Liberal)

Language Preference: English / French

Terry Duguid

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency)

Winnipeg South

Terry Duguid was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in 2015.

With a diverse background in civic government, business, and environmental leadership, Mr. Duguid has shown a strong commitment to public service throughout his career. In 1997, he founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specializing in environmental management, sustainable development, transportation, and international affairs consulting. In 2000, he was named Chairman of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission, and, in 2004, he became President and CEO of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, a non-profit research organization he helped to create.

In addition to his professional career, Mr. Duguid has devoted considerable time and effort to his community. He served as Executive Director of the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force in 2001, as Chair of the Nature Task Force in 2003, and as a member of the Manitoba Emissions Trading Task Force in 2004.

Mr. Duguid has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society. He earned first-class honours while obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and holds a Master of Environmental Design degree focused on tackling the crucial issues of water quality, ozone depletion, and acid rain.

He and his wife Linda have two daughters.

Topics raised by Mr. Duguid in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Committee

Bernard Généreux

Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC. (Conservative)

Language Preference: French / English

Bernard Généreux

Bernard Généreux and his wife Tracy have two children, Tristan and Kaïla, and are also grandparents to several wonderful grandchildren. While enjoying his family life, in 1993 his entrepreneurial spirit led him, with his associate, to create the company BASE 132.

A man close to the people and driven by the duty to serve, he was elected as mayor of the town of La Pocatière in 2005. Bernard Généreux started his career in federal politics soon after, and has since become part of the large conservative family for 12 years.

First elected from 2009 to 2011, he remained active in the Conservative Association and was re-elected in the 2015 elections as the MP for Montmagny—L’Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup. He was also a member of the board and executive committee of the Port of Quebec from 2011 to 2014. Recognizing his personal qualities and his leadership, his colleagues nominated him president of the Conservative Caucus of Quebec during his most recent term. He was also named Official Languages Critic.

Holding his name proudly, Mr. Généreux is known for being positive, open to others and involved in his area. He has been involved in several positions of honour relating to causes close to his heart, such as men’s health, end-of-life care, organ donation, and the fight against cancer.

Topics raised by Mr. Généreux in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Standing Committee on Official Languages

Public Servants

Committee

Bilingual bonus

Marie-France Lalonde

Orléans, On. (Liberal)

Language Preference: French

Marie-France Lalonde

Marie-France has called Orléans home for 19 years. She lives with her husband, daughter, and their three rescue cats. Before entering politics, Marie-France was a social worker at CHEO and the Ottawa Hospital. She also built, owned, and operated a retirement community here in Orléans. She proudly serves as Minister of Francophone Affairs and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Topics raised by Ms. Lalonde in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Franco-Ontarians

Committee

Patricia Lattanzio

Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, Qc. (Liberal)

Language Preference: English / French

Patricia Lattanzio

Patricia Lattanzio was elected as Member of Parliament for Saint-Leonard – Saint-Michel in the 2019 federal election. She is a member of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, as well as the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a mother of three, entrepreneur and community leader, Patricia works hard to ensure that her community thrives. Passionate about Canadian politics from a young age, Patricia began her studies in Political Science, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from McGill University. She later obtained a Bachelor of Law from the University of Quebec in Montreal. Driven by an entrepreneurial fiber, Patricia started her own legal firm where she counselled and represented members of her community on various legal matters.

In 2007, Patricia was elected as a trustee for the English Montreal School Board and then re-elected in 2014. As a trustee, she represented the English language minority community and, on its behalf, presented briefs before the Quebec National Assembly. From 2014 to 2019, Patricia was elected Chairperson of the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal where she engaged the participation of and worked collaboratively with the chairpersons and commissioners of the five school boards on the island of Montreal.

In 2015, she was elected in a by-election and then re-elected in 2017 for a second term as a city councillor for the district of Saint-Leonard East. As a city councillor she advocated for her constituents on issues such as quality of environment, durability and sustainability of infrastructures and policies regarding the well-being of children. At Montreal City Hall, Patricia served as Vice-Chairman of the Commission on the Inspector General and was the Official Opposition Critic for files regarding Road and Water Infrastructures, Electrical Services, and Legal Affairs.

As a member of the Italian community, Patricia understands the importance of diversity and is committed to be the voice of all the cultural communities that form the beautiful mosaic that is the riding of Saint-Leonard - Saint-Michel.

Topics raised by Ms. Lattanzio in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Black History Month

Madam Speaker, in this Black History Month, and as a woman, I want to highlight the extraordinary contributions of a woman of Haitian origin who is not known to most people but is very popular in my riding of Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel. I am referring to Felicidades Joseph.

Committee

Nil

Soraya Martinez Ferrada

Member of Parliament

Hochelaga, Qc. (Liberal)

Language Preference: French / English

Soraya Martinez Ferrada

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Hochelaga

Soraya Martinez Ferrada was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Hochelaga in 2019.

A resident of the east end of Montréal since she came to Canada in 1980, Ms. Martinez Ferrada has deep roots in the community.

For over twenty years, she has gained experience in communications and project development through her involvement in community, cultural, and political action. She created the very first cultural and socio-professional integration program at TOHU, a unique example of sustainable development in Montréal.

Ms. Martinez Ferrada was involved in municipal politics for more than 10 years. In 2005, she was elected as a city councilor for Saint-Michel and was appointed to the Executive Committee as the Associate Advisor for Culture. From 2015 to 2018, she served as Chief of Staff and senior advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Topics raised by Ms. Martinez Ferrada in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

French in Montreal

National Francophone Immigration Week

Black History Month

Committee
Francophone immigration

John Williamson

New Brunswick Southwest, On. (Conservative)

Language Preference: English / French

John Williamson

John Williamson has over 20 years of experience in public policy research. He was the Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest until 2015. Prior to his election to the House of Commons in 2011, Mr. Williamson worked as the Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister.

In 2016, Williamson launched Canadians for Affordable Energy to promote the benefits of energy affordability. He was National Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) from January 2004 to September 2008, and CTF Ontario Director from September 2002 to December 2003. He has also worked for the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, is a past Fellow with the Manning Centre for Building Democracy and Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute.

Williamson is a former National Post editorial writer and founding member of the newspaper’s editorial board. He graduated from McGill University with a bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s degree in economic history from the London School of Economics.

John is married to Commander Kelly Williamson, RCN, and splits his time between their home in Saint Andrews and wherever Kelly is serving (except the dangerous deployments).

John is a former National Post editorial writer (1998-2001) and founding member of the newspaper’s editorial board.

He has a master’s degree in economic history from the London School of Economics and earned a bachelor’s degree from McGill University after graduating from Fredericton High School.

In 2012, John met the love of his life, Kelly. Kelly Williamson is a Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy who has served both at sea and ashore and also worked with the Canadian Army, Special Operations Forces Command, and Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team. In 2018, Kelly was invested into the Order of Military Merit.

John & Kelly have a sweet baby girl: Charlotte Tessa Abbigail Williamson. She was born on July 2, 2020. They live in St. Andrews with the family’s Cairn terrier Teddy. Teddy is from Harvey, New Brunswick.

Topics raised by Mr. Williamson in the House of Commons or at committee that is of interest to the Public Service Commission.

House

Committee

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