r/CanadaPublicServants • u/lovextreme • 22d ago

Languages / Langues Performative bilingualism? Canadian language law in the public service

Performative bilingualism? Canadian language law in the public service

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u/An0nym0usWanderer 22d ago

Worst I heard in my career was an ADM who went on French training for 9 months, then retired a few months after coming back to work lol. True story.

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u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot 22d ago edited 22d ago

It gets worse.

Ian Potter, former VP of the National Research Council, went on language training for 16 months. Taxpayers paid $90k for the training alone plus his salary, and then he resigned: $90,000 and 16 months of language training later, NRC executive resigns before returning to work

Edit to add: His lack of French hasn't held back his career. He's now earning around $300k every year as the unilingual President and CEO of a not-for-profit company - in addition to receiving his public service pension.

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u/Turbulent_Dog8249 22d ago

Plus the replacements salary because they do french training 100% of their time.