#Policy analyst with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages in
Canada
"The mandate of the Office of the Commissioner is: to ensure recognition of the
status of English and French, Canada's two official languages; to ensure respect
for the Official Languages Act; to provide information about the services of the
Office of the Commissioner, aspects of the Official Languages Act and its
importance to Canadian society. The Commissioner protects: the right of members
of the public to use English or French to communicate with federal institutions
and receive services from them as provided for in the Act and its regulations;
the right of federal employees to work in either official language in designated
regions; the right of all English-speaking Canadians and French-speaking
Canadians to enjoy equal opportunities for employment and advancement in federal
institutions." (extract from the website)
Alain Clavet analyses policies related to linguistic duality in the Internet and
in broadcasting. In August 1999 he wrote a report called The Government of
Canada and French on the Internet. In the introduction, he says: "The Internet
can have a profound influence on the organization of the Government of Canada
and how it provides services to and communicates with Canadians. The English
language predominates on all electronic works, including the Internet. It is
therefore vital that the Commissioner ensure that French has its equitable place
in exchanges that use this new method of communication and publication."
*Interview of September 3, 1999 (original interview in French)
= How did using the Internet change your professional life?
The Internet became one of my main fields of interest. I also use it as a
research and communication tool and to broaden my views on matters to do with
Canada's official languages (English and French).
= What are your new projects?
At the moment, I'm giving a series of lectures about the report I wrote called
The Government of Canada and French on the Internet. Over the next few years,
I'll investigate this subject further.
= What do you think of the debate about copyright on the Web?
We need software that can charge the user a fee when necessary. Governments
should make available as many documents and services as possible, especially in
French.
What practical suggestions do you have for the growth of a multilingual Web?
There are several suggestions in my report (see chapter V: Observations and
Recommendations).
= What is your best experience with the Internet?
Discovering all the uses of a cable modem. It's very fast and showed me the
power of this communication device. The Internet as a universal encyclopaedia is
also essential for me.
= And your worst experience?
The fact it was so slow, but the problem has now been solved.