Equivalent access to information

A woman seeking a review as part of her work visited the website of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC). While browsing the site, she noticed that its URL was in English. She also noticed translation omissions. For example, the URL for the contacts page read “Contact us” even though the page itself was called “Pour nous joindre.” It also directed French readers to fill out a “Speaking Engagement Request Form.” The woman said she also visited the IPC’s Twitter and YouTube accounts and noted that all of the Commissioner’s posts and videos were in English only.

As a result of our intervention, the office of the IPC obtained a French address for the French version of its website, and undertook to replace all URLs for French pages with French addresses. The IPC also established a policy to communicate in French in its verbal and written communications, web content, publications, and social media. As well, the office adopted a plan to improve its offer of French language services with simultaneous translation of future webcasts and podcast transcripts.

Learn more about the French Language Services Unit which answers questions and takes complaints about services in French.
Read about how we helped other people in our Selected cases.