Thank you for your questions. I will start with the first one.
Regarding the article you mentioned, you were wrong. I did not defend the departments that were unable to serve Canadians in French. I defended myself in this article, since I was attacked, first as the minister in charge of official languages, and then as member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface. I was told that my official website was not available entirely in French. I have been a member for Saint-Boniface for almost six years, and I have constantly made efforts to provide services to my constituents in both languages. My website is provided entirely in French and in English. In addition, two bilingual people work in my office.
The journalist told me that, when he clicked on “Passport Applications” on my website, he was taken to an English site. I told him that all he had to do was click on “French”, in the corner. He said that was one click too many. That's ridiculous. That's what I told him, and he put that in the article. I told him that we sometimes need to see the glass as half full. When native anglophones like myself make an effort to improve and use both official languages, they should be congratulated, instead of always being criticized. I am being criticized for one click too many, even though my website is available entirely in French and in English. As a member of Parliament, I do not have to have a bilingual website, but I do have one because I strongly believe in that.
I'm sorry, but you cannot make false statements in committee. I did not defend other ministers. I encourage them to make sure they are complying with the Official Languages Act. That's what matters.
I will now answer your second question about the judges. In English, we say that
timing is everything.
Regarding justices, it would be wonderful if that were the current situation in Canada, but the pool of judges is not large enough. In the west of the country, for instance, the pool is not....