The complaints included errors or unilingual text and messaging as primary concerns. Photo © Valmedia/courtesy Bigstockphoto.com
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee of the City of Ottawa convened on June 4 to address a surge in complaints regarding French Language Services (FLS) within municipal facilities. The 2023 Report on French Language Services revealed a significant uptick in grievances, with a total of 47 complaints recorded, marking an increase from the previous year’s 18 and surpassing the five-year average of 39.8 complaints a year. Of these complaints, most were directed towards signage and information display across various city applications and facilities.
The complaints included errors or unilingual text and messaging as primary concerns. In response, the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS) department has initiated an internal audit of all signage and fixed assets within city facilities to identify deficiencies and areas for improvement. Steps have been taken to ensure adherence to the Bilingualism Policy, with FLS disseminating communications to all departments regarding translation and quality assurance protocols for city signs. An internal poster campaign has also been launched to reinforce the requirements of bilingual signage.
Moving forward, the RCFS department, in collaboration with FLS, will undertake corrective measures to address identified issues, prioritizing remediation efforts based on operational feasibility and budgetary considerations. FLS remains committed to facilitating proactive service delivery in both French and English, emphasizing quality control and support initiatives outlined in the 2023 French-language service highlights report.
The City of Ottawa reaffirmed its commitment to fostering mutual respect and recognition of both official languages in all aspects of municipal service provision.
