As a federal public servant, you have the right to work in the official language of your choice when your substantive position is located in one of the following designated bilingual regions :
- The province of New Brunswick
- The metropolitan area of Montréal
- Parts of the Eastern Townships, the Gaspé Peninsula and Western Quebec
- The National Capital Region
- Parts of Eastern and Northern Ontario
In practical terms, this means that you have the right to do the following in the official language of your choice:
- Access work instruments (reference books, manuals, keyboards, software, telephone systems, etc.)
- Receive personal and central services
- Be supervised
- Participate in meetings
- Receive training
In addition to ensuring that these rights are respected, federal institutions must ensure that the workplace is truly conducive to the use of both English and French.
Note: Whether your position is identified as bilingual or not, you still have the right to work in the official language of your choice if your workplace is located in a designated bilingual region.
Signs of a truly bilingual workplace
- You and your colleagues can use the official language of your choice when working together and in all aspects of your professional life.
- Your manager and executives set the example by frequently using both official languages.
- Your organization’s corporate culture fully reflects the equal status of English and French.
- You work in an environment where the use of both official languages is valued and encouraged.
- Both you and your manager are aware of your respective language rights and obligations.
Official languages champions
Official languages champions play a key role in promoting Canada’s official languages in federal institutions. Their role is primarily to show leadership, to listen, to summarize, to exert influence and to communicate.
Among other things, your institution’s champion ensures that senior managers take official languages into account in their decision making and supports them in implementing the Official Languages Act.
