FAQ

1. What is the Business Assistance Pilot Project?

The Business Assistance Pilot Project assists businesses wishing to improve client services in English and French. The project, fully funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, is the result of a needs assessment undertaken by the City of Ottawa. Small businesses indicated that they needed help to improve their services, advertise their products, and recruit qualified bilingual staff. The Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la Capitale nationale (RGA) is coordinating all activities for the 2006-2007 business year.

2. What specific services does the project provide to businesses?

To meet the needs expressed by businesses, the project provides an array of services to help increase and improve the delivery of French language service, including low-cost translation services, French as a second language refresher workshops focused on client service, and assistance in recruiting bilingual staff.

As well, the project also provides businesses with promotional materials (tool kit, tent cards, decals, language pins for staff) to inform customers that service is available in both English and French, a lexicon of basic client service phrases and useful tips for serving a bilingual clientele.

3. What are the project's intended results?

The project aims to improve services in English and French. It also conveys the message that bilingual services make good business sense and are an added value to any business.

4. What are the various phases of the pilot project?

There are three phases to the Business Assistance Pilot Project. The first phase focuses on assisting businesses at improving client services in English and French, analysing their needs and perceptions and developing practical tools to help them.

The second phase encourages customers in requesting services in either English or French, while the third phase expands the pilot project to other business areas.

Business Improvement Areas, shopping centres as well as associations related to the hotel industry and chambers of commerce were selected to participate in this current and third phase of the project. Businesses involved in these sectors will receive a Business Assistance Pilot Project tool kit and will have access to all services offered by the project.

5. Are there other project and service providers involved in this project?

Yes, other and service providers include the University of Ottawa, the Université du Québec en Outaouais, the Alliance française, Interlangues, Impressions printing and AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions.

6. How is the project funded?

The Business Assistance Pilot Project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage under a memorandum-of-understanding signed in April 2002 between the federal government and the City of Ottawa. The overall purpose of the agreement is to help the City cover part of the cost of delivering French language services. In the fall of 2006, the RGA was given the coordination role of all activities related to the project.

7. Why is the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la Capitale nationale involved in this project?

The RGA is ideally positioned to reach members of the business community of the greater national capital region, namely in Ottawa and in the Outaouais. In addition, the RGA is an apolitical organization which benefits from severalhips in the business community.

For more information, please contact :

Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la Capitale nationale (RGA)
Telephone : 613-744-3037
Fax : 613-744-3572
Email : info@rga.ca

• Are you looking for staff members who can serve your clientele in both English and French?
• Do you want to offer your employees some really practical training?
• Are you looking for low-cost translation services?

This project provides an array of services to help increase and improve the delivery of French language service, including low-cost translation services, French as a second language refresher workshops focused on client service, and assistance in recruiting bilingual staff.

Information: info@rga.ca

Contact Us

T: 613-744-3037
F: 613-744-3572
www.business-assistance.ca