How does this work? Do all government employees have to be bilingual?
No. We are using a team approach to provide quality services in both official languages to the public and other government department and agencies. Employees work in functional teams so that the services each team offers can be provided in either language, as needed.
What does the government mean by "bilingual"?
In some cases, it means having reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English and French. In other cases, it means having only some of these skills in both languages. For example, let's say an employee in a team deals with members of both linguistic groups, but contact is mostly verbal. In that case, the employee probably only needs speaking and listening skills in the second language; the reading and writing skills may not be needed.
Are jobs designated bilingual or unilingual?
No, individual positions are not designated as bilingual or unilingual. We use a team approach based on a mix of employees having the combined required language skills. When, for example, a bilingual employee leaves his or her job, it does not necessarily mean it will be staffed with another bilingual employee. It depends on the current overall linguistic capability of the team.
Does every member of the team have to know both languages?
Not necessarily. The linguistic capability of the team as a whole is what matters.
Does this mean that employees, who are not bilingual, are not obligated to provide an active offer of service in both official languages?
No, all employees have the obligation to provide an active offer of service in both official languages. By using both official languages in your greeting, you would be providing an active offer of services. If you are not able to provide the service yourself once the active offer of service is made, one of your team members should step in to assist you with the requested services.
How much capacity in both languages will each team need?
That will depend on how much and what type of contact a team has with the public or other government department and agencies. For example, teams that have a lot of contact with the public or other government department and agencies, provide specialized services, or work in areas with a balanced linguistic mix, will need greater capacity in English and French than those that have little contact with the public, or work in areas where one language predominates.
Do I need to be bilingual to obtain a job with the province?
Not necessarily, each job is advertised in relation to what is needed to meet the linguistic profile of the team at the time of the competition. Depending on the situation, jobs will continue to be advertised with a variety of linguistic requirements.