Implementation of Section 41 (Part VII) Official Languages Act
REVIEW PUBLISHED BY: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions Montreal (Quebec) H3B 2T9 www.dec-ced.gc.ca Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, 2013. Catalogue : Iu90-1/1-2013E-PDF ISSN : 1926-2442
Implementation of Section 41 (Part VII) Official Languages Act ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions
Implementation of Section 41 (Part VII) Official Languages Act General information ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC Dominion Square Building 1255 Peel Street, Suite 900 Montréal, Quebec H3B 2T9 www.dec-ced.gc.ca Responsible for the implementation of part VII of the Act Minister Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec OFFICIAL LANGUAGES CHAMPION Serge Tanguay, Director General, Regional Operations RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFICIAL LANGUAGES Josée Duchesneau, HR Services Officer NATIONAL COORDINATOR Anne-Marie Grenier, Advisor Mandate Promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. Promote cooperation and complementarity with Quebec and communities of Quebec. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions 4
Context Each year, the Agency prepares a review of the implementation of Section 41, Part VII, of the Official Languages Act. The present report describes the Agency s key achievements in 2012-13. Through its participation in delivering the Roadmap for Canada s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future in Quebec, the Agency fulfills the Government of Canada s commitment to promote official languages and the vitality of official language minority communities (OLMCs). In 2012-13, the Agency implemented the last year of the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) and thus contributed to achieving the targeted results of the Horizontal Results-based Management Accountability Framework for the Roadmap for Canada s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013. These results include changes in Canadians ability to live and work in dynamic communities in the official language of their choice and an increase in the percentage of Canadians who are aware of the benefits of linguistic duality and have tools to appreciate them. During the coming year, the Agency intends to continue providing support for Quebec s OLMCs by delivering the EDI, its renewed grants and contributions program, in accordance with the new Roadmap for Canada s Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities. 5
Ongoing Dialogue In recent years, the Agency has maintained an ongoing dialogue with organizations that serve OLMCs in Quebec. At the heart of the Agency s approach to economic development, the purpose of this dialogue is to fully understand OLMCs needs and priorities as they relate to its mandate. As part of the evaluation of the EDI 1, the Agency s regular exchanges with Quebec English-speaking communities and its federal partners were identified as a success factor behind initiatives aimed at enhancing the vitality of OLMCs. This ongoing dialogue took various forms and helped forge close ties with the OLMCs and the Agency s federal Roadmap for Canada s Linguistic Duality partners. Since 2008, the Agency actively participated in 13 meetings with OLMCs (e.g. Dialogue Day, General Assembly of the Quebec Community Groups Network), 17 meetings with its Canadian counterparts (e.g. Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada), various standing committee teleconferences and forums related to the operation of the EDI, as well as numerous regular, informal interactions. The Agency also keeps abreast of trends affecting OLMCs by carrying out in-house analyses based on available studies, statistics and reports on official languages. This initiative, together with the ongoing dialogue maintained by head office and the business offices, promotes a better understanding of the economic development challenges facing OLMCs. In this regard, the Agency is aware that Quebec English-speaking communities, especially those outside Montréal, are experiencing difficulties primarily related to isolation, integrating firms into business networks, labour market participation and diversification of their local economies. In concrete terms, research and the bonds the Agency has created with the OLMCs and the other federal departments provide it with strategic expertise. Shared across the organization, notably through its official languages community of practice, this knowledge fuels the Agency s thinking when reviewing its approach and designing its programs. Therefore, the Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) and the EDI for OLMCs under the Roadmap for Canada s Official Languages 2013-2018, address OLMC needs and concerns relevant to the Agency s mandate while facilitating program delivery and achieving expected results for Anglophone communities. Strengthened by this know-how, and with a view to continuous improvement, over the years the Agency has developed new tools and mechanisms to support the economic development of OLMCs. These include a departmental official languages accountability framework, a network of advisors, an official languages champion in each business office, an official languages evaluation form and an intervention strategy by business office. The business offices are indeed proactive. They build on their business relationships with the OLMCs in their territories to guide their intervention strategies. These tools help plan the projects to be carried out over the course of a year in line with the Agency s mandate, departmental and government priorities, and region-specific challenges. 1 Goss Gilroy Inc., Évaluation de la composante IDE de la Feuille de route DEC (Ottawa, 2012), p. 23. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions 6
EXAMPLE Committee for Anglophone Social Action In 2012-13, the Agency reaffirmed its financial commitment to the Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA) as part of a mobilization project bringing Gaspésie s Anglophone and Francophone communities to work together on common issues. More specifically, the project is aimed at empowering OLMCs in the Rocher-Percé and Côte-de-Gaspé regional county municipalities (RCMs) to take charge of their economic development and identify their needs and priorities in order to develop targeted intervention strategies. These communities will later be able to focus on implementing the various economic development initiatives set out in their plans. Tangible Agency support Funding to businesses and organizations The Agency received a budget envelope of $10.2 million over five years (2008-2013) earmarked for the economic development of OLMCs in Quebec. Specifically, it is designed to help them with innovation, entrepreneurship, partnership and economic diversification. In the last year alone, the Agency supported 20 OLMC development projects, including three new projects, for a total of $2.7 million in financial assistance. In 2012-13, through its actions under the EDI, the Agency helped generate $1.2 million in total investments for Anglophone communities in Quebec. The objective of half of the projects funded by the Agency in 2012-13 was to support business development in English-speaking communities. To date, these projects have contributed to 56 start-ups in OLMCs and bolstered 165 other businesses that benefited from information, mentoring or networking services offered by organizations. During the same period, the Agency also backed about 10 projects in support of OLMCs. To date, these efforts helped, for example, build capacity in 14 Anglophone communities by developing an economic diversification strategy, implementing a plan to promote local assets and replacing a community facility. Moreover, in its Strategic Framework (2012) the Agency reiterates that English-speaking Quebec communities have access to all of its grant and contribution programs provided that their terms and conditions are met and that the submitted projects target outcomes are aligned to the Agency s mandate. The Agency funded a number of official language related projects in 2012-13 through its other programs, particularly the QEDP, which supports business entrepreneurship and competitiveness as well as mobilization and investment in the regions. Additionally, the QEDP provides support on an ad hoc basis to the economic activity of Quebec s communities. Year after year, the business offices are proactive in promoting the EDI to OLMC representatives in their territories, informing them of the programs and services the Agency makes available to them and discussing potential projects with them. 7
ExAmple Tawich Development Corporation In 2012-13, the Agency granted financial assistance of $425,000 to the Wemindji Cree Nation s Tawich Development Corporation through the QEDP. The corporation s project involves establishing a commercial laundromat in Wemindji so it can benefit from the spinoffs of a mining boom and diversify its economy. Indeed, Wemindji is the closest community to Goldcorp Inc. s Éléonore mining site in northern Quebec, representing a $1.4 billion investment to develop a large gold deposit. The laundromat, which will provide services (e.g. cleaning of uniforms, bedding and other items) for the mine and its 400 employees, is expected to create five jobs in the small community of 1,250 inhabitants. ExAmple Harrington Harbour Tourism Association Following on the efforts of the Côte-Nord Business Office, in 2012-13 the Agency funded a project led by the region s Harrington Harbour Tourism Association (HHTA). Founded in 2003, HHTA s mission is to develop and showcase the heritage of the Lower North Shore Anglophone community to tourists visiting the region. Accordingly, the HHTA manages the Rowsell House Interpretation Center and Tourist Information Bureau. The Agency therefore supported the HHTA to ensure it is equipped to fulfill its mandate, provide information services and promote its activities. Client guidance services In addition to funding projects, the Agency is able to support OLMCs in their economic development and to promote official languages in Canadian society by maintaining an ongoing dialogue with them. It also supports them by providing information, referral and guidance services 2. ExAmple Daily life in the business offices Over the past 10 years, the Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine Business Office has established excellent business relationships with the representatives of OLMCs and provincial development organizations in the region. In 2012-13, the business office provided Anglophone applicants, like the Municipality of Grosse-Île, with information, advice and guidance in carrying out their projects through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). The CIIF is a nationwide program, administered in Quebec by the Agency, that supports the rehabilitation and improvement, including expansion, of existing community infrastructure facilities. 2 The added value of CED s comprehensive approach to its activities was confirmed by a study conducted in 2009 by an outside firm: Universalia, Étude de cas portant sur les différents types d interventions de DEC (Montréal, 2009), iii. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions 8
Key Collaborations Collaboration with federal institutions The Agency s approach to regional economic development is inspired by best practices. Collaboration and complementarity with other Government of Canada departments and agencies are essential pillars of its approach. Development issues being increasingly complex and integrated, the Agency recognizes that the success of its interventions depends on federal family cohesion, thus responding to the expressed desire of the OLMCs. By virtue of its economic vocation, the Agency is central to the government agenda. It has contributed to advancing that agenda by, among others, delivering the EDI for Quebec s OLMCs. As part of the EDI, the Agency therefore works in conjunction with its federal partners (Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Status of Women Canada, etc.), to support the economic development of Quebec English-speaking communities. In total, the 20 projects backed by the Agency to support the economic development of OLMCs between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 are valued at $2.7 million. These projects aimed to support entrepreneurship, innovation, networking and economic diversification in OLMCs. The financing of these projects indicates that 30% of them were completed by another federal source of funding. ExAmple Dialogue Day with the English Linguistic Minority of Quebec The Agency works with Industry Canada (IC) on organizing Dialogue Day with the English Linguistic Minority of Quebec. Aside from the Agency and IC, this event brings together representatives of organizations from Quebec s English-speaking minority communities (e.g.: Quebec Community Groups Network [QCGN], Youth Employment Services [YES], Community Economic Development and Employability Committee [CEDEC]). Dialogue Day was held in October 2012 with the view of maintaining an ongoing dialogue between OLMCs and government representatives through discussions, workshops and presentations on economic development. This day helped fuel the process of renewing the EDI, define the economic development needs of OLMCs and identify the programs and services most likely to contribute to their vitality. Dialogue Day with the English Linguistic Minority of Quebec led to the setting-up of a follow-up Dialogue Committee bringing together the same stakeholders. In 2012-13, the Agency also participated in four Dialogue Committee meetings, including one held in March 2013 at which the committee s role and mandate was more clearly defined and the following conclusions were made: The committee is a forum that brings together the right stakeholders and remains relevant for sharing information to assist in the decision making process; and Forum discussions and topics will be more strategically oriented and focused on the economic development of OLMCs. The Agency intends to continue these regular exchanges. Not only do they enable it to better understand the needs of OLMCs and keep pace with their evolving priorities, but they also foster partnerships with other financial providers that will meet the economic development needs of OLMCS. 9
Collaboration with other organizations In accordance with the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act (2005), and in line with its mandate, the Agency undertakes to take such measures as will promote cooperation and complementarity with Quebec and communities in Quebec. Therefore, all the projects supported by the Agency during 2012-13 through the EDI for Quebec s OLMCs involve at least one funding source other than the Government of Canada. In that sense, the financing of the 20 or so projects backed by the Agency indicates the involvement of provincial departments and organizations, including Investissement Québec, the Department of Finance and the Economy (Ministère des Finances et de l Économie) 3, the Department of Employment and Social Solidarity (Ministère de l Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale), the Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy (Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l Occupation du territoire), the Regional Conferences of Elected Officials (Conférences régionales des élus), the Local Development Centres (Centres locaux de développement) and more. Added to this is financial support from cities and municipalities as well as the private sector (e.g. banks and financial institutions). Therefore, in 2012-13, the Agency contributed to some 20 projects aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, networking or the economic diversification of English-speaking communities in Quebec. Tangible Results Initiative for the development of Official Language Minority Communities, its impacts and success factors In light of the end of the Roadmap for Canada s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013, the Agency would like to highlight its contribution to an initiative carried out by the CEDEC that was instrumental in fostering the vitality of many OLMCs in Quebec. CEDEC provides support services to entrepreneurs and individuals who want to start a business and targets Quebec s English-speaking communities in particular. Among several significant CEDEC initiatives supported by the Agency was the setting-up of the Small Business Support Network (SBSN) in seven Quebec administrative regions (Laval, Lanaudière, Montréal, Québec, Outaouais, Chaudière-Appalaches and Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine). The SBSN provides customized business development services in English. Among others, this initiative helped organize 92 events and four webinars related to regional entrepreneurship and reached more than 1,200 participants 4. Based on the positive impact the SBSN has had on and in OLMCs so far, the Agency intends to propose continued support in the coming years to extend SBSN activities across Quebec, notably through the renewal of the EDI. The SBSN is funded by various institutions and public and private sector organizations. 3 The Quebec Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade [Ministère du Développement économique, de l Innovation et de l Exportation (MDEIE)] is now part of Quebec s Department of Finance and the Economy [Ministère des Finances et de l Économie (MFEQ)]. 4 Dated March 31, 2013. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions 10
Initiative for the promotion of English and French in Canadian society, its impacts and success factors During the last year, in its efforts to promote Canadian linguistic duality, the Agency signed contribution agreements with 58 economic development organizations present in the different regions of Quebec and committed to providing services in both official languages. These agreements are a success factor for the promotion of linguistic duality in Canada. For example, the Agency supported implementation of the commercialization strategy of the 5 th edition of the Coupe des Nations, the International Cycling Union s prestigious international competition which was held in the Saguenay and Lac-Saint-Jean region, and whose website was updated to include both official languages. The Agency also lent its support to the Mouvement québécois de la qualité for the translation of various communication tools (program, advertising, etc.) for its Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d affaires et les Réseaux performance, an event aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of businesses by optimizing productivity, innovation, commercialization and market development. ExAmple The Voice of English-speaking Quebec In July 2011, the Québec Chaudière-Appalaches Business Office granted financial assistance to the Voice of English-speaking Quebec (VEQ). The project, which ended in February 2013, offered business mentoring services in both official languages. More specifically, it involved getting Anglophone job-seekers to interact with Québec region employers at professional networking events. This project allowed the Agency to help build bilingual capacity in Québec s business community, particularly in the fields of tourism, import-export and information technology, while at the same time promoting the economic development of the English-speaking community. Among others, the project contributed to the integration of 38 Anglophones into the bilingualism mentoring activities and the carrying out of three networking activities. In short, the project reached more than 27 organizations, 26 entrepreneurs, 45 employers and 413 members of the community. 11
An Agency success story and its regional impact Since the EDI s inception in 2008, the Agency has invested $7.8 million in 34 projects submitted by proponents to support the economic development of Quebec English-speaking communities. This financial assistance leveraged a total investment in OLMCs of $22.9 million. Every dollar contributed by the Agency generated an investment of $1.63 from other sources of funding. Over that same period, the Agency intervened, through the EDI, in nearly 80% of Quebec s OLMCs. ExAmple Youth Employment Services Through the EDI, the Agency has, over the past five years, supported various projects of Youth Employment Services (YES), an organization that provides English employability and entrepreneurship services in the Greater Montréal region. The Agency contributes to the implementation of YES s entrepreneurship program, the E-ship Program. Between 2008 and 2013, it granted $1.6 million in funding to YES, enabling the organization to continue to provide employment counselling, training, networks and job placement services to young Anglophone entrepreneurs aged 16 to 35 in the Greater Montréal area. The Agency s support of the E-ship Program has generated several positive outcomes, such as the organization of 497 legal or accounting advice session, including 10 meetings between the client and the mentor. More than 8,600 participants signed up for training courses in English, such as Jump-Start, Grants & Loans Information and Start your own business. Moreover, an estimated 639 entrepreneurs attended the training, information or mentoring sessions on drafting a business plan and an estimated 650 people attended to start a new business. In sum, these events contributed to the creation of 625 enterprises in the last five years. Given these results, the Agency also awarded YES nearly $377,000 in funding to carry out a feasibility study and implement a pilot project to extend YES services to young Anglophone clients in the regions (e.g. Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, Côte-Nord, Estrie). YES s entrepreneurial services are recognized and address a need identified by the OLMCs. To date, the webinars offered as part of this pilot project have attracted 370 participants, 207 clients received coaching and 34 others launched their own business. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA for Quebec Regions 12