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OL Quiz

The following quiz has been designed to test your knowledge of official languages matters. Aside from providing you with several interesting facts and figures, hopefully it will also make you aware of some of your linguistic rights and responsibilities.

1. Personnel are entitled to receive central (eg, administrative) and personal (eg, pay) services in their preferred official language within:
1. Unilingual English Region and Unilingual French Language Region
2. Designated Bilingual Regions


2. Documents that are required to be in both official languages:
1. Can be issued in unilingual format provided the translated text follows shortly thereafter
2. Must be communicated simultaneously and of equal quality in English and in French


3. Within a designated bilingual region:
1. Regularly and widely-used work instruments (eg, directives, manuals, forms) must be available in both official languages
2. Information systems/software (eg, MS Word, MS Outlook mail, Intranet) must be operable in either official language
3. Both A (Work instruments) and B (Information systems) must be available in English and in French


4. Personnel who occupy bilingual positions within designated bilingual regions must work in both official languages:
1. At all times
2. Only when they are responsible for providing a service or supervision in both official languages


5. In a designated bilingual office for service to the public, do you have to greet clients in both English and French if you are not bilingual?
1. Yes
2. No


6. If there is a conflict, which will take precedence?
1. The public's right to be served in their preferred official language (Part IV of the Official Languages Act (OLA))
2. The right of NPF personnel to work in their preferred official language (Part V of the OLA)


7. When is a position identified bilingual?
1. When the duties involve the provision of a service to the public within a significant demand area
2. When the duties involve the supervision of positions designated bilingual or English essential and French essential within a bilingual unit (BU)
3. When the duties involve the provision of a central or personal service to personnel within a designated bilingual area
4. In any of the above situations


8. To achieve an equitable participation of both official languages groups within the federal government:
1. It is acceptable to use quotas/targets
2. Selection must always be based on the principle of merit


9. An 'active offer' of service can consist of:
1. A visible official languages (OL) symbol
2. A bilingual greeting
3. Bilingual publications (pamphlets, forms) displayed in a manner that reflects the equal status of both OLs
4. All of the above

Answers

1. B (In an unilingual English Language region or unilingual French Language regiont, these services are provided in the region's language of work)
2. B
3. C (Personnel can also participate in meetings, receive training, and present grievances in the official language of their choice)
4. B (Personnel who occupy bilingual positions within designated bilingual regions should be able to communicate in their preferred official language with their superiors, colleagues within their own work unit and, in many cases, with others occupying bilingual positions outside their work unit. See also Q1 and Q3)
5. B As an unilingual employee, you are not expected to carry on a conversation with the client in French. Simply say "Un moment s'il vous plaît" and immediately ask a bilingual colleague to serve the client. Inform your colleague of the official language chosen by the client. Never use phrases such as "I don't speak French" or "The employee who speaks French is not here right now". Managers should ensure that a bilingual employee is available at all times. There should be no delay in the delivery of service. (Part 5 of the act)
6. A
7. D
8. B (The objective is to remove barriers that hinder 'equal opportunities' for employment and advancement of both language groups)
9. D