How Glendon Fuelled One Public Servant’s Appreciation For Canada’s Bilingualism
If you were looking for the human embodiment of the Glendon brand, you need look no further than David Chaikoff. Communication, public service, and bilingualism are features infused into Glendon’s DNA, and they strongly influenced David’s experience on campus.
He graduated with a BA in Translation and Hispanic Studies in 1988, before embarking on his almost 30 years long (and counting) career in public service. Today, he works as a Manager of Strategic Program Policy within Transport Canada.
“I was inspired to work for the federal government while working on my Master’s degree in Montreal in the early 1990s,” recalls David. “The general mood in the country at that time was not terribly positive, and I wanted to join the federal government to make a difference, in particular improving relationships between English and French-speaking Canadians.”
The relationship between English and French-speaking Canada wasn’t just playing out in the political sphere. It was playing out in David’s academic life as well, and in a much more positive way. While at Glendon, he took courses like Advanced Translation with Madame Geneviève Quillard who he describes as “a passionate and demanding professor who inspired me to do better.” His rigorous studies were supplemented with experiential learning from the people he met and the opportunities available.
“I was fortunate to study with native French speakers at Glendon from many different places, to participate in a one-year exchange at the Université de Montréal, and to work in an interprovincial job exchange in the Government of Québec. All these experiences broadened my horizons to participate fully in the federal government and work in both official languages.”
Since earning an M.Ed. from McGill, specializing in Second Language Instruction, he’s held several positions within the Government of Canada. This experience includes roles in the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Privy Council Office, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and of course, Transport Canada.
David’s academic experience influenced more than his professional life. It impacted his personal life, too. He remains connected to the Glendon community both through the friendships he’s made and his volunteer experiences. During his undergraduate studies, he befriended students from outside of Ontario whose descriptions of their hometowns made such an impression, he remembers them decades later.
“They inspired me to visit their hometowns,” says David. “I hiked in the Gaspé last fall for the first time and fondly remembered classmates who came from this region in Québec.”
And for the past three years, he’s volunteered with the Glendon Ottawa Alumni Network.
“My old classmate Guy Larocque persuaded me to get involved. It is a great opportunity to see old friends with whom you have deep roots and an opportunity to meet new Glendon arrivals in the area.”
