Ottawa's new unilingual fire chief says he will take language lessons to help improve his French.
John deHooge was named Ottawa's new fire chief after a nation-wide search that lasted several months. Although bilingual candidates were interviewed, the city says deHooge was the most qualified for the job.
"I've been briefed and appreciate the importance of being bilingual and will certainly take the opportunity to take that learning seriously," deHooge told reporters on Thursday.
Despite the city's focus on bilingualism, hiring a unilingual fire chief does not violate the city's language policy.
At that particular job level, a candidate doesn't have to be bilingual. Rather, those candidates can take courses to learn either English or French.
Still, in a letter to city councillors, the head of Ottawa's French-Canadian Association asks: "When will you show a little respect for the 135,000 French-speaking people of the city?"
It goes on to say: "Do you think it will please us to say the new chief will take a French course? Well No!"
Some councillors say the position should have been posted as a bilingual job. Now, the city is working to groom a bilingual employee to work his or her way up the fire ranks.
deHooge will officially become Ottawa's new fire chief on Jan. 11. He comes to the capital after serving as Waterloo's fire chief since 2004. He previously spent 25 years working with the fire department in Oakville.
deHooge says he looks forward to meeting with firefighters in the capital. He also plans to spend more time in the community.
"I look forward to being both a member and leader of the Ottawa Fire Service. Merci," he said.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
