Official Languages Committee on May 6th, 2008

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'm in full agreement with the motion. However, I would add a few things, since I myself played a role in various Olympic Games and the Canada Games, prior to 2003. I did not work at the games held in Bathurst, but I did work on their funding. I think that it is essential, because the suggestion is going to be put to you that the Secretary of State for Sports, Helena Guergis, also be present.

Since this activity is sponsored by the Canadian Olympic Committee and I had an agreement signed between that committee and the Canadian government, it's essential for current ministers to be able to implement these previously signed agreements or ensure their implementation.

I don't know whether my colleague would agree to a friendly amendment, but in order to leave no stone unturned, I think it is preferable to also call those two individuals. That way, the government can perhaps decide... I think that the Department of Canadian Heritage will be somewhat evasive, but by providing a framework for the governmental machine, we will cover all the angles and be sure to have an official present. Then, if the government does not provide an adequate response, it will have to answer for its actions.

With your permission, Yvon, we could add the Secretary of State (Sport) and the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. As for the spirit and substance of the motion, I'm in full agreement with you, and the Liberals will vote in favour of this motion. I move then that we make a friendly amendment. Otherwise, I will make an amendment while respecting the spirit of the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Is the mover of the motion in agreement with this friendly amendment?

Mr. Godin, indicate only whether you are in agreement, yes or no.

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

I never answer with yes or no. I don't like that.

I think that this amendment is a good idea. I didn't want to leave those people out, but I wanted to start by calling the ones I named in my motion. We have two years to prepare for this, but it's going to be here before we know it, particularly starting now. The clock is ticking and we want to be ready.

I think it's extremely important to also hear from the Secretary of State (Sport). For that reason, I am prepared to accept a friendly amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So, you are in favour of adding to the motion, as presented, the Secretary...

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

I want to make a correction. I am waiting for my turn to speak.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

... of State (Sport) and the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Does the committee agree to add those two names? Agreed.

We will hear comments on the new motion.

Mr. Lebel, we are listening.

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

Are we talking about the amendment? Is that what we're doing?

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

This needs to be verified, but I think that Mr. Furlong is not the president, but rather the director general.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

He would be the director general rather than the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

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

I think he is not the president. To my knowledge, he works in operations. This will need to be verified.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

He is the executive director. Jack Poole is the president. In any case, that isn't mentioned in the motion. He was explaining the motion.

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

I just want to clarify things for everyone. Mr. Furlong is not president, but rather the director general of operations.

Then, the Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics is David Emerson. If we are talking about the Vancouver Olympic Games, Ms. Guergis is not the person who should appear. It should be Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner.

Mr. David Emerson is the minister responsible...

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

... and Ms. Verner.

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

... and Ms. Verner, if we want to clarify things.

If we want to invite the minister responsible for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics specifically in this context, we're talking about David Emerson. For the Department of Canadian Heritage, it's Ms. Verner. If we want to invite people, they are the ones who should come.

I also want to remind members of the broadcasting rights. Mr. Coderre is very knowledgeable about this subject. When the IOC awards the Olympic Games, the framework with regard to communications, media and broadcasting rights is already known.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I want to clarify your first point. In the motion, are we talking about the president or the director general of the Canadian Olympic Committee?

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

Mr. Chair, the organizing committee ensures that the Olympic Games are bilingual. Witnesses came to tell us about the work that had already been done to date, and it seems that these Olympic Games will be the most bilingual in the history of our country.

We want to invite the politicians responsible. However, I think it is not appropriate to mix representatives of the Canadian Olympic Committee, which manages the athletes, with the political sphere.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That seems to be the intent of the mover of the motion.

If I have understood correctly, you are proposing to amend Mr. Godin's motion.

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

I am proposing that we invite Minister Emerson, because he is the minister responsible for the Olympic Games, as well as Minister Verner.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We would invite these individuals rather than Ms. Guergis. So, this would be an amendment. Otherwise, you could make a formal amendment.

Mr. Godin, Mr. Petit is proposing amending the original motion by replacing Ms. Guergis with the minister responsible for the Olympic Games, who is Mr. Emerson.

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Chair, why not invite them both?

It is extremely important that the Secretary of State (Sport) appear. Even if Mr. Emerson is responsible for the Olympic Games.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I just want to ask Mr. Godin whether...

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

I would like to have them both appear, because the only reason that Mr. Emerson is responsible is because the Olympic Games will take place in Vancouver.

However, if our minister for sports is involved in this issue, she will have to understand right off the bat that across Canada, both official languages need to be respected.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

That is not right, because Minister Emerson is responsible for the Olympic Games.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

One moment, Mr. Lemieux, we will continue with Mr. Lebel.

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

Sports is one thing, but we're talking about the official languages and the Olympics. So, Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner are both responsible.