Official Languages Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

The chair has the floor.

It's not a point of order.

Ms. Forest-Niesing has the floor.

[Josée Forest-Niesing]

Thank you.

Funding is clearly essential, but it's also clear that actions must be accompanied by dollars. I talked about awareness and pride. The Prime Minister of our country and the government he leads obviously have a responsibility in that regard. They have not only a responsibility, but also legal obligations in that regard.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

All right.

Mr. Paul.

[Roger Paul]

I won't ask you to repeat the question.

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

It's not a problem for me to repeat it.

[Roger Paul]

I'm teasing you, sir.

In response to the brief question, which I understood, as to whether bilingualism and symbols are important, my answer is: absolutely.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Briefly, Mr. Blais.

[Jean-Sébastien Blais]

I agree with Mr. Paul and Ms. Forest-Niesing. Bilingualism is important and it is appropriate to support it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Mr. Galipeau now has the floor.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

I find it a bit uncomfortable that the official languages committee is being used to advance demagogic arguments. Canada's linguistic duality is essential to the country's very survival. There are a lot of ways to do that and not to do it, such as engaging in political polarization when we should be working together. Since this question is repeatedly raised at every meeting, I would like to take the few minutes allotted me to emphasize that I was one of the members most disappointed by the appointment of an auditor general who is not bilingual.

When that appointment was made, I mounted the barricades to inquire about the mistake that had been made. Here's the question that I asked: do you want me to believe that there isn't an auditor anywhere in the country who is as qualified as the one we've hired, who isn't also bilingual? The answer I received is as follows: there are auditors in the country who are probably as qualified as the one hired, but they did not apply for the job. There was one in the running until the last minute, and then he withdrew his application. When you hire someone, you don't choose from among the most qualified candidates, but from among the most qualified who apply for the position. That's not something that's pleasant to hear, but we always have to hear it.

I spent six years on the board of directors of the Ottawa Public Library.

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

A point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Sir, "point d'ordre" is not a term in French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Godin has a point of order.

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

The auditor never applied for the job. I just want to ensure that's noted.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

That's not a point of order.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

I don't think that's a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

It's not a point of order. Thank you, Mr. Galipeau. It's a point of information.

Mr. Galipeau, go ahead, please.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

One of the problems at a number of organizations where French is important is that francophones have to submit their applications. That's the way it is in the administration of justice, in the health administration, in education and among auditors—the point of this discussion. As regards the headhunter that was hired this time, I hope he will never be hired again. As regards the other headhunters...

We currently have to hire a librarian for the Library of Parliament. First, I must say that we've retained a different headhunter. Those of you who have some influence in your communities, make sure the best bilingual librarians apply for this job because it's a very good position.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Galipeau.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

I believe I may have used up all the available time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

There's no time left. The last three minutes are allotted to Mr. Bélanger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I followed that exchange with interest because, as my colleagues will remember, I have an outstanding motion. That motion asks that we invite the headhunter in question to appear, the one who suggested the candidacy of Mr. Ferguson, who himself said he did not apply.

In the spirit of cooperation that Mr. Galipeau evokes or invokes, perhaps it would be pleasant to see whether we could indeed have the headhunter appear in order to get to the bottom of the matter. I believe that is part of the work and duty of this committee. Notice to interested parties.

Talking about notices, I'm going to take the opportunity afforded me—and I thank you for it—to give another notice of motion, given the presence of some of our witnesses this morning. The clerk will obviously receive the following motion in due form.

That the Committee travel to Nunavut in winter 2012 to complete its tour of the territories begun in 2011 as part of the study undertaken in the 3^rd Session of the 40^th Parliament on the development of linguistic duality in northern Canada, and table a follow-up report in the House of Commons before the summer recess in 2012.

We'll see at the appropriate time.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

The night before 2012!

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

We'll see whether there is a willingness to cooperate.

Mr. Chairman, I'm going to use the time I have left to return to the lawyer issue.

Does your organization compile statistics on judges that are appointed and on their language skills?

[Josée Forest-Niesing]

Mr. Rémillard can undoubtedly answer you on that subject, but I may have some comments to add.