Official Languages Committee on Nov. 23rd, 2010

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

No, the question isn't who is anglophone or francophone, but rather whether they speak French. I'm not discriminating as to who has the job. The problem for me is not whether it's an anglophone or a francophone. The question instead is whether those who offer service are able to speak both languages.

[Maria Barrados]

Yes.

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

I'm not discriminating over that. I believe there is a problem when anglophones back home say there's no program for them to learn French so that they can get a job.

[Maria Barrados]

My comments concerned the everyday context, not the specific context of obligations to provide service, or the supervision context. To have a truly bilingual public service, we have to use both languages in all contexts, not just in the mandatory situations.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Mr. Godin.

The third round will begin with Ms. Zarac.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good morning and thank you for being with us.

Ms. Barrados, earlier you said you were disappointed when someone comes out of a class and does not really have an opportunity to put his or her knowledge into practice. And yet there are opportunities for doing so.

Page 24 of the Commissioner's document refers to surveys that were done in the federal institutions and the poor marks given by employees for the opportunity to use their language to write documents and when they speak to a supervisor. I believe that situations exist, and employees must be encouraged to demand service in their language. Contrary to what you said earlier, there is a need, and it could be met.

You also said in your opening statement that a new plan will be implemented in 2011. I congratulate you on that. The previous plan dates back to when?

[Maria Barrados]

I can ask the champion, Mr. Lemaire, who was responsible for the plan.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

All right.

[Donald Lemaire]

Since 2007.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Before that?

[Donald Lemaire]

I know we reviewed the accountability framework in 2005.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

So there was a plan before 2007.

[Donald Lemaire]

Yes.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

An established plan.

[Maria Barrados]

Yes.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Are you sure?

[Donald Lemaire]

In 2005, we reviewed the official languages accountability framework, not for the government as a whole.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

There wasn't any plan as such.

[Donald Lemaire]

We clarified the responsibilities of managers, employees and so on. It's still in effect. Then we worked on a plan that was implemented in 2007 and carried out in subsequent years.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Why was there no plan before 2007? Why wait until 2007 to develop a plan?

[Maria Barrados]

I'm the one responsible for all those matters. Frankly, that's something we've forgotten. The plan was there; we had a champion. I have a very high francophone representation. I was concerned about the level of service. The figures are very good. We didn't renew it and we are in the process of doing so.

In that sense, Mr. Fraser's audit is very good. It will make us remember to do things in addition to other concerns.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

I have the figures in front of me. I don't want to rub salt into the wound, but this is really poor performance.

What is your impression when you look at these figures, in view of the fact that you didn't have a plan? What does this tell you?

[Maria Barrados]

The existing plan was still in effect. It wasn't a question of not having a plan; it was a failure to renew the plan. The plan was in existence, and we are in the process of following it up. I'm concerned about the number of positions, the level of service.

Part VII of the act is a problem for me, as I said earlier. We are involved in discussions, and that's ongoing. Yesterday I asked Mr. Fraser to give me examples and specific assistance because I'm prepared to do—

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

And because you don't see what your responsibilities are under Part VII of the act? Is that correct?

[Maria Barrados]

The point is to determine what we can do in the context of our mandate within the public service, having regard to the delegation system. Perhaps I should be clearer, in the context of the delegation system: what is our expectation with regard to Part VII? What must the departments do in view of our mandate, of Part VII?