Five things public servants need to know about new language requirements
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New language requirements for supervisors in bilingual areas will go into effect on June 20. The changes, which apply to supervisors with positions deemed bilingual, are meant to ensure workers can comfortably use their language of choice with their supervisor.
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In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen, Official Languages Comissioner Raymond Théberge called the changes 'a very positive move on the part of government to ensure that the language rights of public servants are respected.'
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He added that the policy has something his predecessors 'have asked for many, many times.'
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The requirements, Théberge said, will help language rights within the public service, as well as bilingual service delivery.
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So what are the changes and how will they impact public servants? Here's everything you need to know.
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For the public service, the language requirements for supervisors in bilingual regions has been BBB, which means intermediate levels in reading, writing and oral conversation.
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On June 20, those requirements will increase to CBC, meaning proficient levels in reading and oral conversation, with only intermediate levels in writing.
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Bilingual regions for the federal government include parts of Quebec and Ontario, New Brunswick and the National Capital Region.
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To limit the operational impact of the changes, the Treasury Board Secretariat said that the new rules will only apply to new appointments.
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Supervisors that currently do not meet the new language requirements will be grandfathered in won't be mandated to take language training.
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However, the Treasury Board Secretariat said that if one of these supervisors changes roles they will be required to meet the new language requirements.
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Supervisors that do not meet the new requirements 'are also encouraged to work towards CBC (or equivalent) proficiency to assist them in their current role and in their career progression,' Rola Salem, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board Secretariat, said in an emailed statement.
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