Evidence of meeting #14 for Official Languages in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was young.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

Earlier, my colleague from across the table briefly talked about youth. I just want to clarify that all the committee members feel that youth is the future of a country. So I don't understand why the current roadmap contains no programs or initiatives targeting young people.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

If you look at your roadmap, you will see under the heading “Education” the funds allocated to all the exchanges and summer projects. They are the following: Music Showcases Program for Artists from Minority Official language communities.... Sorry, I'm looking at the previous roadmap.

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

I will move on to another question. I just want to know....

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

You don't want me to answer your question?

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

Yes, but you can answer all my questions at once.

I would like to know whether the programs currently listed in the roadmap have all begun.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

I will begin by answering your first question.

I want to be very clear. What you said about young people not being part of the roadmap is not true. Young people are well served. Under the heading “Education”, the following programs are listed:

support for minority language education, support for second language learning, summer languages bursaries, official language monitors, Exchanges Canada.

Most of those programs are targeted at young people.

There are also some programs for youth under the heading “Communities”. For instance, the Music Showcases Program for Artists from official-language minority communities can be used by young people. And the list goes on. The translation program for book publishing encompasses the translation of books for young people.

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

Are those programs currently in place?

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

Yes.

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

But have all the programs begun?

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

Most of the programs planned in the roadmap are in place, with the exception of a few new programs that are undergoing adjustments. The stakeholders who are directly affected have been informed of the delays.

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

So some of the programs have been delayed.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

A few of them have been delayed, but not those targeting young people. The programs you talked about are usually related to economic initiatives in the regions.

9:40 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

I want to go back to what my colleague from Acadie—Bathurst said earlier.

I have with me an article published in the newspaper Le Soleil, where you said that, ideally, the members of the Conservative cabinet should be able to provide services in French, but that you work with the existing legislation. I see a bit of a problem with that. Ministers have a duty to improve things, including legislation. As for the whole bilingualism issue, our politicians cannot hide behind the fact that this requirement is not set out in the legislation. They should work on making it part of the law.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

Thank you, Ms. Perreault.

Minister, you may answer the question.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

Let's put this in context. That is exactly what I said when I was told that not all members' offices in regions across the country provided services in French and in English. Of course, it would be ideal if those services were provided in both languages, but that is not a legal requirement, and I work with the legislation we have.

9:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

Thank you, everyone.

We'll suspend for five minutes to allow our witnesses to depart. Then we'll reconvene to discuss committee business.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

We'll now continue with our 14th meeting.

We have two items to discuss.

First of all, we have had a notice of motion from Madame Perreault.

Can you move your motion, Ms. Perreault?

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

Yes. It's the motion I gave notice of at the last meeting.

I know that the Yukon visit has already been made. However, I think it's unfortunate that the government did not allow the tabling of the report because of the elections. I think that each province and territory has the right to equal treatment. I feel that the work that has already begun should be completed. So I think a new visit should be made.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

The motion is on the floor.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Manon Perreault NDP Montcalm, QC

Sorry, I did not read the motion right away. It reads as follows:

That the Members of the Committee travel to Yukon as part of the study of the economic situation of the minority official-language communities.

I have already explained my reasoning, so I won't go over that again.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

So the motion is before us, and we will debate it.

Mr. Gourde, go ahead.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I understand Ms. Perreault's enthusiasm about the idea of going to Yukon. However, as this would be a relatively long study and we would have to meet with a number of witnesses from various provinces and territories, I think it's too early to make this kind of a decision.

If we were to visit all the witnesses who are inviting us, we could well end up with some 40 trips to make. If we had an opportunity to make two or three trips, we would prioritize places with major issues where the committee could make a greater contribution.

All to say that we will vote against this motion today.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

March 6th, 2014 / 9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

I think that's unfortunate. This is the second time.

The motion concerns the study on the economic situation of official language minority communities. This is a major issue in Yukon. It's true that some local witnesses have appeared before the committee and that we cannot visit all the places we are invited to. However, this is the only region whose community situation has never been covered in a report tabled in the House of Commons.

When we travelled across the country—from Moncton to Vancouver—all the provincial communities appreciated our presence. When we went to Whitehorse, in Yukon, and to Yellowknife, the community was really appreciative. Those people are still waiting for the report to be published.

There may be another way to produce a report. That may even be possible with the new committee composition. Despite the time that has gone by, we still have the same analyst on the committee. She has all the information. If you are concerned about the report, she could perhaps show you what has been done on the ground to restore your confidence. This is not a report that criticizes the government, but rather a backgrounder on the trip made by the committee's former members.

During this study on the state of economic development, we heard some wonderful things, but it would be a good idea to go out into the communities.

It would be unfortunate if the government voted against this motion. Perhaps it could consider the report again. We spent over $100,000 on our visit to this region, and its people have the right to see their situation reflected in a House report. That was the reason for the trip. If the decision is based on the fact that most of the committee members are new, the solution is to go back to the region.

This motion is for a study on the economic situation of official language minority communities. If you refuse it, we could try again later by moving another motion for a comprehensive study, be it on education or other considerations.

That being said, I would appreciate it if the government would support this motion. We are talking about a remote region. Life is not easy for people living there. They work hard, as they said during their testimony. It would be a good idea to visit those people where they live.

I will definitely vote in favour of the motion, as this is an NDP initiative we truly believe in. We must treat all Canadians equally. We cannot ignore the great north. The people who live up there often feel ignored, as if they did not exist, and that's not right. We should visit them out of respect, and our trip would also contribute something to the House and the government. This would help show that the Standing Committee on Official Languages does not concern itself with only one part of the country, but with the country as a whole.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

9:55 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Michael Chong

Thank you.

Ms. St-Denis, the floor is yours.