Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions
Official Languages governance
Institutions, officials and champions play key roles in promoting and supporting Official Languages across the federal public service and the Canadian society.
Deputy heads responsibilities
Deputy heads exercise key leadership in their institutions in the area of official languages and must fulfill their responsibilities for official languages governance within their institutions as set out in the Treasury Board’s Policy on Official Languages.
Deputy heads are responsible for designating:
- an official languages unit responsible for coordinating the institution's official languages responsibilities
- a person responsible for official languages at an appropriately senior level in the institution
- a champion who supports the institution in developing an integrated vision for official languages
- a person responsible for implementing section 41 of the act
Official Languages champions role and responsibilities
The champions’ role is to support the deputy head in developing an integrated vision for the institution’s official languages program, promoting official languages, and fostering to take into account official languages in all decision-making processes.
The Champion’s main responsibilities
- To exert influence and provide leadership in developing action plans and promoting initiatives related to official languages within their institution
- To support to the deputy or agency head and senior officials responsible for implementing the Official Languages Act
- To represent their institution on files related to official languages and sharing information with employees of their institution
Learn more about official languages leadership, responsibilities and horizontal coordination within the federal government: Official Languages accountability and reporting framework.