Graham Fraser | |
---|---|
![]() Fraser in 2011 | |
6th Commissioner of Official Languages | |
In office September 2006 –December 2016 | |
Preceded by | Dyane Adam |
Succeeded by | Ghislaine Saikaley |
Personal details | |
Born | 1946 (age 77–78) Ottawa,Ontario,Canada |
Spouse | Barbara Uteck |
Residence(s) | Ottawa,Ontario,Canada |
Alma mater | Upper Canada College,University of Toronto |
Profession | Journalist |
Graham Fraser OC (born 1946) is a Canadian former journalist and writer who served as Canada's sixth Commissioner of Official Languages. He is the author of several books,both in English and French.
Fraser is the son of Blair Fraser,a respected newspaper and magazine reporter of the mid-20th century. Blair Fraser drowned on a canoe trip in 1968. Graham Fraser attended Upper Canada College and,later,studied at the University of Toronto where he obtained a BA in 1968 and an MA in History in 1973.[ citation needed ]
In the summer of 1965,Graham Fraser went on an archeology trip at Fort Lennox,Quebec,with the intention to learn French and learn more about Quebec,as the province was undergoing the vast social transformations of the Quiet Revolution. In his 2006 book Sorry,I Don't Speak French,Fraser described that,in this trip,he felt like a "foreigner in his own country",because of the linguistic and cultural differences he encountered there. [1] This trip sparked his lifelong interest in the Canadian language question and in the relationship between Anglo Canadians and French Canadians.[ citation needed ]
During his career as a journalist,Fraser wrote for Maclean's , The Globe and Mail , The Montreal Gazette , The Toronto Star and Le Devoir . He served as the National Affairs Correspondent for the Toronto Star ,for which he also wrote a weekly column. He was also an adjunct professor of journalism at Carleton University from 2003–2008.[ citation needed ]
Fraser's unusual abilities as a journalist to write in both of Canada's official languages gave him natural qualifications to be Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages.[ citation needed ] In early 2006,he published a book,Sorry,I Don't Speak French,in which he reviewed the successes and failures of Canada's official bilingualism policy. It was largely on the basis of this book,and of Fraser's bilingual work experience,that then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated Fraser to be Canada's next Commissioner of Official Languages in September 2006. The nomination was unanimously approved by the House of Commons on October 17. [2]
In 2009,Graham Fraser created the Award of Excellence –Promotion of Linguistic Duality. The prize is given annually by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to an individual or organization in Canada that is not subject to the federal Official Languages Act, but that makes a difference by promoting linguistic duality in Canada or abroad,or by contributing to the development of official language minority communities. [3]
After they were announced,Graham Fraser had identified that the 2010 Winter Olympics,held in Vancouver,were an opportunity to showcase Canada's linguistic duality. He negotiated with the CRTC so that more Canadian homes would have access to Olympics broadcasting in French. However,Fraser voiced his disappointment with the lack of French during the Torch relay,in which many events,such as the Torch's arrival in Victoria,were held only in English.[ citation needed ]
One of the biggest challenges Fraser had to deal with as Commissioner was regarding the place of French in the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Fraser was of the impression that the event was "developed,perceived and presented in English with a French song." Fraser's office received over 100 complaints regarding the ceremony. [4] Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore,Quebec Premier Jean Charest,and Secretary General of La Francophonie Abdou Diouf also expressed their disappointment regarding the place of French in the Ceremony. VANOC,however,defended their case and said that they had made "a very deliberate focus and effort to ensure a strong celebration of Quebec culture and language." [5] They also said that there was a significant amount of French in the opening ceremony. [6] David Atkins also said that the ceremonies did celebrate francophone Canada. [7]
In his official report on the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony,Fraser identified two causes for the lack of French in it. The first was lack of understanding. The commissioner said that "it was apparent that,in several areas,the official language requirements in the multi-party agreement signed by the organizing committee and Canadian Heritage were rather vague and unclear". He also stated the secrecy traditionally given to the opening ceremony prevented the commissioner from making sure that Canada's linguistic duality was well-showcased in the show. [8] In order to prevent such mistake for future major events held in Canada,such as the 2015 Panamerican games,"official language requirements must be specific and clear to ensure that organizing committees grasp the importance of linguistic duality,understand their official languages obligations and plan adequately." In early 2011,the Office of the commissioner of Official Langues published guide in early 2011 based on the lessons learned at the Vancouver Games to help federal institutions and organizing committees of future large-scale sporting events to better understand,plan,implement,and monitor their activities toward the full respect and inclusion of English and French. [9]
One year following the Vancouver games,former VANOC CEO John Furlong discussed the language controversy in the Olympics in his book Patriot Hearts:Inside the Olympics that Changed a Country. Furlong said he had received praise from Fraser before the opening ceremony because of the large amount of bilinguals in his staff. He defended his refusal to apologise for the perceived lack of French in the opening ceremony. He alleged that,when discussing the place of French at the Olympics,"Mr. Fraser pointed fingers from a distance but rarely pitched in with ideas or support." [10] Fraser answered these criticisms,saying that his office had given him precise indications and ideas to promote linguistic duality during the games,which were implemented. He said that,overall,the services in the Games were provided in both official languages,and that the absence of French was mostly in the cultural program,and this was the only part he took issue with. [11]
In June 2016,the commissioner tabled in parliament a special report on Air Canada. In this report,Fraser outlined Air Canada's history of non-compliance with the Official Languages Act since 1969. He stated that Air Canada is one of the institutions that generates the most complaints to his office,and that the numerous interventions of Fraser and his predecessors did very little to enhance their compliance. Since 1988,Air Canada is the only institution which has been brought to court by every Commissioner of official languages. Fraser argued that the compliance of Air Canada to the Official Languages Act is important because "the national airline’s activities should reflect Canada’s bilingual nature." [12]
In the face of these failure to improve Air Canada,Fraser requested the Parliament to modernise the laws and regulations pertaining to Air Canada and the powers of the commissioners. He argued that there are legal gaps in the administration of Air Canada that allows some of their subsidiaries,such as Air Canada Jazz,to be excluded from the Official Languages Act. Fraser requested that these loopholes be closed,and that the Commissioner be granted more coercive powers it can use against federal institutions,such as the ability to impose fines. [13]
Air Canada viewed this special report as unjustified,stating that the number of complaints against them had remained stable at 50 every year. [14]
As commissioner,Fraser intervened in many judicial cases in Canada in order to defend linguistic rights. [15] in 2007,he intervened in a case where the FCFA challenged the abolition of the Court Challenges Program. the plaintiff succeeded in having the program partially restored in June 2008 for the official languages minority component of the program,under the name Language Rights Support Program. [16] Fraser was also coappellant in the DesRochers case,after which the Supreme court of Canada broadened the scope of Part IV of the Official Languages Act. [17] Fraser also intervened in the Nguyen case,after which the Supreme court of Canada interpreted Article 23 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in a way favourable to official language minority communities. [18]
As of 2018,Fraser was a visiting professor at the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. [19]
Fraser's wife Barbara Uteck was Private Secretary for the Governor General of Canada from 2000 to 2006 and lived at Rideau Cottage behind Rideau Hall.[ citation needed ]
During his life,Graham Fraser received the following distinctions:[ citation needed ]
Fraser was also shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction in 1984,for his book PQ:RenéLévesque and the Parti Québécois in Power. [15]
The 1976 Summer Olympics,officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad and officially branded as Montreal 1976,were an international multi-sport event held from July 17 to August 1,1976,in Montreal,Quebec,Canada. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam on May 12,1970,over the bids of Moscow and Los Angeles. It was the first and,so far,only Summer Olympic Games to be held in Canada. Toronto hosted the 1976 Summer Paralympics the same year as the Montreal Olympics,which still remains the only Summer Paralympics to be held in Canada. Calgary and Vancouver later hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1988 and 2010,respectively.
The 2010 Winter Olympics,officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games and also known as Vancouver 2010,were an international winter multi-sport event held from February 12 to 28,2010 in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada,with some events held in the surrounding suburbs of Richmond,West Vancouver and the University of British Columbia,and in the nearby resort town of Whistler. It was regarded by the Olympic Committee to be among the most successful Olympic games in history,in both attendance and coverage. Approximately 2,600 athletes from 82 nations participated in 86 events in fifteen disciplines. Both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were organized by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC),headed by John Furlong. The 2010 Winter Games were the third Olympics to be hosted by Canada,and the first to be held within the province of British Columbia. Canada had hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal,Quebec,and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary,Alberta.
The Richmond Olympic Oval is an indoor multi-sports arena in the Canadian city of Richmond,British Columbia. The oval was built for the 2010 Winter Olympics and was originally configured with a speed skating rink. The venue has since been reconfigured and now serves as a community multi-sport park and includes two ice hockey rinks,two running tracks,a climbing wall,a rowing tank and a flexible area which can be used for,among other sports,basketball,volleyball,indoor soccer and table tennis.
The Privacy Act is the federal information-privacy legislation of Canada that came into effect on July 1,1983. Administered by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada,the Act sets out rules for how institutions of the Government of Canada collect,use,disclose,retain,and dispose of personal information of individuals.
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of the Canadian government is responsible for achieving the objectives of,and promoting,Canada's Official Languages Act. Canada has two official languages:English and French.
Bernard St-Laurent is a Canadian retired journalist and radio personality,best known as a longtime host of programming on CBC Radio. In 2012,he was given the Award of Excellence –Promotion of Linguistic Duality by the Commissioner of official languages Graham Fraser for having "dedicated his life to keeping English-speaking Canadians informed of what's happening in the other official language".
The Frye Festival,formerly known as the Northrop Frye International Literary Festival,is a bilingual literary festival held in Moncton,New Brunswick,Canada in April of each year. The festival began in 1999 and honours noted literary critic Herman Northrop Frye (1912–1991),who spent his formative years in Moncton,graduating from Aberdeen High School.
The 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay was a 106-day run,from October 30,2009,until February 12,2010,prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Plans for the relay were originally announced November 21,2008,by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Communities were initially informed in June 2008,but the locations were not announced for "security reasons". Exact routes were later announced several weeks before the start of the torch relay.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) was the non-profit organization responsible for planning,organizing,financing and staging the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics. Established on September 30,2003,about four months after the 2010 games were awarded to Vancouver,British Columbia,it performed these roles with "the mandate to support and promote the development of sport in Canada."
For the 2010 Winter Olympics,a total of ten sports venues were used,seven in Vancouver,and three in Whistler. The majority of ice sport events were held in Vancouver,while Whistler,which normally serves as a ski resort,hosted the snow events. Six non-competition venues,three each in Vancouver and Whistler,provided athlete housing,space for media,and locations for ceremonies associated with the Games.
The opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held on February 12,2010,beginning at 6:00 pm PST at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada. This was the first Olympic opening ceremony to be held indoors. It was directed by David Atkins.
Leo Obstbaum was an Argentine-born Spanish design director for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada,as part of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC). Obstbaum was responsible for designing many of the main symbols of the Vancouver Olympic Games including the Olympic and Paralympic medals,the design of the 2010 Olympic torch,and the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots.
Established in 2007,Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium was a joint venture set up by Canadian media companies Bell Media and Rogers Media to produce the Canadian broadcasts of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada,and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London,England,as well as the two corresponding Paralympic Games. Bell owned 80% of the joint venture,and Rogers owned 20%.
A number of concerns and controversies at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada,surfaced before and during the Games,and which received media coverage.
The closing ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics took place on February 28,2010,beginning at 5:30 pm PST at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada. It was the first Olympic Closing Ceremony held in an indoor venue since the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
The 2010 Winter Paralympics Torch Relay was a 10-day event leading up to the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver. It began on March 3,2010,in Ottawa and concluded at the Games' opening ceremony on March 12. Held entirely within Canada,the host country,it has been described by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as "an important event to connect Canadians to the Games",by "demonstrating the fire inside each individual and how it inspires others".
The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympics took place on March 21,2010,beginning at 7:30 pm PDT at the outdoor Whistler Medals Plaza in Whistler,British Columbia,Canada.
John Furlong,OC,OBC is a Canadian sports administrator who oversaw the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics and was President and CEO of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC).
The table below lists the decisions delivered from the bench by the Supreme Court of Canada during 2018. The table illustrates what reasons were filed by each justice in each case,and which justices joined each reason.
The Award of Excellence –Promotion of Linguistic Duality is given annually by Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages. It is given to groups or individuals which are not bound to the Official Languages Act,but whose leadership helped promote Canadian Linguistic Duality,in Canada or abroad,or helped the development of Official Language Minority Communities. The prize was first awarded in 2009 by Commissioner Graham Fraser,and its first recipient was Linda Leith.