Official Languages Committee on March 21st, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

As Bernard and René suggested, there are two other places we could go. Is everyone in agreement on this? I can see that we are.

Yes, Dan?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

We should have witnesses from across Canada. There's no witness from western Canada. I know that Sylviane Lanthier is from Saint-Boniface.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

There are three witnesses, so there's one more spot.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I agree with Dan.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

There are three witnesses.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Are there people in Newfoundland and Labrador who need our help? There are francophones in Newfoundland and Labrador.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We don't have to decide right away. We already have a third full day with three possible witnesses.

The person you mentioned, Bernard, is from New Brunswick.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

That person can talk about minorities.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Where is the other witness from?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Manitoba.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

If we're looking for a fourth witness, I'm sure that people from New Brunswick, the only bilingual province, would have plenty to say. If we're looking for other witnesses from the east, Nova Scotia passed a law on services in French that gives the government certain responsibilities toward minority communities. That could enrich our discussions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Darrell, can you give us a name?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Bernard?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

The lady's name is Geneviève Sauvé, and she's from Val-des-Monts, Quebec.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay. The clerk will make a note of that.

To summarize: three days, four witnesses per meeting per day.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will hear from four witnesses between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. I'll adjust speaking times accordingly.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

That means we won't have any in camera.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

No, no in camera.

Yes, François?

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I suggest that we hear from four witnesses in two one-hour blocks: two witnesses during the first hour and two more during the second hour. We will focus on two witnesses at a time. That's easier than listening to four witnesses at a time, which makes us more likely to forget things. That's my suggestion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay. We'll have two witnesses per hour. That's settled.

We've just dealt with three meetings.

As for future topics, do you have—

Yes, Mr. Choquette?

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I think Mrs. Boucher raised her hand before me, but I don't mind speaking before her.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!