A seasoned former deputy minister has entered a heated debate over language requirements in federal government hiring, defending the practice of bringing in external talent who may need to learn French or English after their appointment.
Public Servant's Frustration Sparks Debate
The discussion was ignited by an anonymous public servant's letter to the Public Service Confidential advice column, published by the Ottawa Citizen on January 19, 2026. The writer expressed deep frustration, stating they are "so sick of seeing people being hired from outside of the public service who don't hold the necessary language requirements."
The employee questioned why the government invests in language training for new external hires instead of promoting existing qualified, bilingual staff who already possess years of experience, university education, and professional designations. "How about we look to existing qualifications within the organization and then we look outside? This needs to change," the letter concluded.
Yazmine Laroche's Expert Response
The response came from Yazmine Laroche, a distinguished former deputy minister and the first person with a visible disability to hold that federal rank. Laroche, who chairs the Disability Screen Office and serves on the National Arts Centre Board, challenged the premise that this is a widespread or irregular practice.
She clarified the policy framework, explaining that appointments can be made on a "non-imperative" basis. This means a candidate—whether internal or external—can be appointed to a bilingual position if they meet all other qualifications and formally agree to attain the required language proficiency within a two-year period.
"This flexibility exists for good reason," Laroche wrote. "It allows the public service to secure the best talent while still maintaining our bilingual capacity." She emphasized these decisions are governed by established policy, not arbitrary choices.
Personal Experience and Broader Benefits
Laroche shared a personal anecdote to illustrate her point, recounting how she herself entered the public service without strong French skills despite her francophone surname. Through dedication and publicly funded training, she achieved her second language exemption, calling it "one of my proudest accomplishments."
She argued that the public service benefits from a mix of developing internal talent and injecting fresh perspectives from outside. Bringing in individuals at various career stages helps combat insularity and introduces skills that address gaps, making the institution more representative of the Canadians it serves.
However, Laroche identified a different practice as truly problematic: public servants who repeatedly receive taxpayer-funded language training to regain lapsed proficiency levels they once held. "To me, this is unacceptable," she stated.
Her final advice balanced the concerns: while internal candidates deserve fair consideration, competitive processes must remain open to exceptional external candidates who can strengthen the public service, with the bilingual commitment being a shared, ongoing journey for all.
