Official Languages Committee on May 6th, 2008

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

In that case, you could move an amendment.

I understand that Mr. Godin would be prepared to add Mr. Emerson without striking out Ms. Guergis, but if that is not your intention, you could move an amendment to replace Ms....

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I move that we call Mr. Emerson, as the government representative responsible for the Olympic Games, and Ms. Verner, for the portion concerning Heritage Canada. I would only invite those two individuals from the government.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The motion also refers to the president of the COC. Do you want to strike his name? The motion as amended...

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I would invite only those two individuals.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Are you making an amendment?

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Lebel's amendment seeks to invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister responsible for the Olympic Games, who is Mr. Emerson.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I would be prepared to support that amendment. Then, we could invite the Commissioner of Official Languages.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Several things need to be considered.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chair, point of order.

There are two steps. I'm prepared to accept to have Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner appear before us because we want to ensure that this matter is resolved. However, Mr. Lebel, with all due respect, you are talking to a former minister responsible for sports. That minister is responsible for everything related to...

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Coderre, I invite you to address your remarks to the Chair.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

The Minister for Sports ensures that everything related to sports in Canada is essential and important, even during the Olympic Games. If there is concern for the official languages, it is not solely due to the fact that the Games are international, but to take into consideration agreements that I reached with the Canadian Sports Federations which are represented and the agreement signed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the organizing committee for the Games.

Perhaps we are saying the same thing. I know that you want to protect someone. I fully agree with the motion mentioning Mr. Emerson, but be aware that this is a beginning and that, subsequent to this motion, there will be other more in-depth ones.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Coderre, that is not a point of order.

I would also remind you that it's important to address your remarks to the Chair in the future.

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, may I at least suggest that you tell Mr. Coderre what you need to tell him? If we want to criticize sports in Canada, that's one thing, but Mr. Godin's motion which is before the committee refers to the official languages at the Olympic Games. That is what the motion is about.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

If I understand correctly, the motion has changed. We agreed to call the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister responsible for the Olympic Games, Mr. Emerson before the committee. I want to check where we stand to make sure that we are all talking about the same motion. The motion seeks to invite Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner. Is that correct?

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

And the Commissioner of Official Languages.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Right. Are we also going to invite the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee? For the moment, we are keeping the three others. Mr. Lebel, this is not an amendment, it is a proposal seeking to call the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of International Trade responsible for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Games, as well as the Commissioner of Official Languages.

On that note, I will open the floor to other speakers.

Mr. Petit.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you.

Mr. Godin, your motion reads as follows:

[...] to ensure that the Games will be taking place properly in both of Canada's official languages, in order to respect the rights of Canadians.

What is the real reason we are calling these witnesses? It is not to get an inventory of the place, but rather to ensure that the official languages will be respected. I'm trying to understand the intent of your motion. In French, you say “de façon à respecter les droits”. Should it not read “faire respecter” instead? Mr. Godin, this is important. I'm trying to follow you.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I'm not contradicting you: I'm simply shrugging. I want merely to ensure that the official languages are respected and that both languages will be used. If you have a better way to say this, I am open to suggestions.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

In English, you use another term. You say “in order to respect”.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Yes, we want to ensure that the official languages are respected.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

“Faire respecter” that's what you want? Okay. That's fine. I asked for an explanation and I got it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Does this change the wording of the motion?

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

No.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Chong does not wish to speak.

The parliamentary secretary.