Official Languages Committee on Oct. 26th, 2006

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Allow me to...

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

No, I am sorry, but it is Ms. Boucher's turn.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I am sorry, Mr. Bélanger.

The mandate of Official Language Community Development Bureau is to work in partnership with organizations which represent the communities.

In your dealings with the partners, I would like you to explain how the organizations are held accountable, and how outcomes are evaluated.

[Marcel Nouvet]

We have very detailed contribution agreements. Under these agreements, for instance, communities must produce quarterly progress reports and financial statements. Funding is provided on a quarterly basis, I believe, once the reports are received and reviewed. So, the process is extremely tight.

People have to explain from the outset what they intend to achieve and how they intend to spend the money. They then have to send us regular reports in order to receive the next chunk of funding.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

So you can see where most of the money is being spent?

[Marcel Nouvet]

Yes. For instance, we receive reports from the Société Santé en français which is responsible for conducting audits each year. It does not necessarily audit every single network, but at least two per year. There are criteria for choosing the networks which will be audited.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

So that is one of the evaluation methods?

[Marcel Nouvet]

That is the audit.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

All right. And what about the methods used for evaluating outcomes?

[Marcel Nouvet]

We are in the process of conducting a trial evaluation, that is, an initial evaluation to see whether, generally speaking, we are on the right track and whether the investment will produce the desired results. We think so. I gave you examples of specific things which are happening within the networks, including the fact that registrations are up by 33 per cent. The final evaluation will be conducted next year and will allow us to better measure outcomes than the current evaluation.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Fine. Thank you.

[Marcel Nouvet]

From the outset, we agreed with communities on very specific things. Ultimately, clients had to be even more satisfied and there needed to be more professionals working in the language of the minority. We will measure these things. However, that will take time. In five years, we will have accomplished certain things, but not everything. There will always be people living in a minority situation who will have trouble finding services in their language, but by then they should be fewer. And people should at least have the hope that things will change.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Thank you, Ms. Boucher.

Thanks to Mr. Godin's generosity, we will now ask Mr. Simard to ask a 30 second question.

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to my colleague Mr. Godin, for sharing his time with me.

Mr. Nouvet, a few moments ago, you said that this new relationship called for a change in culture. You did not say whether that had actually happened.

I remember the time when senior officials in the department were cynical and closed-minded, I must admit, even on the policy front. The minister was not convinced it was a good thing.

Has there been a change in culture within the department? Has the minister been made aware of the validity of this program?

[Marcel Nouvet]

The change in culture has begun and is heading in the right direction. I think there will always be a little bit of friction here and there, but the situation has been calm for nine months now. Conversations are positive and courteous. We do not have to meet at the last minute every month to try and solve any conflicts. Today, both organizations are working together harmoniously. So I do think there has been an evolution.

As for the minister, he is very bilingual. Everything he has said until now is positive. I believe his support was essential to make the submission to Treasury Board this year.

[Le président, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Thank you, Mr. Nouvet, Mr. Farley and all members for this very interesting meeting. Congratulations on your excellent work.

We will now suspend our deliberations for two minutes and then go in camera.

[The meeting continues in camera.]