Industry Canada Takes Important Steps to Enhance the Vitality of Official Language Minorities, Says Graham Fraser

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 30, 2012) - Industry Canada is implementing Part VII of the Official Languages Act and has made notable progress to date, says an audit report released today by Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser.

From March to June 2011, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages conducted an audit of Industry Canada regarding two components of section 41 under Part VII of the Official Languages Act: enhancing the vitality of Canada's English and French linguistic minority communities and ensuring that positive measures are implemented to do so.

"Industry Canada represents numerous organizations that are very important to the Canadian economy-citizens and businesses alike. This is why my office decided to carry out an audit to examine how this federal institution fulfills the requirements of Part VII of the Official Languages Act," explained Commissioner Fraser. "Industry Canada is very motivated and wants to improve its performance under this part of the Act," he added. "We are confident that Industry Canada will make progress in the coming months."

The report contains six recommendations to help Industry Canada reach its goal.

Industry Canada has accepted them all and has indicated that it will implement its action plan before the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages will then conduct a follow-up.

To view the full audit report, including Commissioner Fraser's recommendations and detailed comments regarding Industry Canada's action plan, please visit: www.officiallanguages.gc.ca