Official Languages committee  The first time I had a detailed presentation on this was this week, when Colonel Milot came prior to his appearance and presented the approach.

Official Languages committee  It's difficult to say to the extent that one very clear recommendation was that it was essential for bilingual positions to be filled by bilingual individuals. We cannot assess the success of a plan in advance and we cannot ensure that everything has already been accomplished, but neither can we wait five years to ensure that this is being done.

Official Languages committee  I hope so, in the sense that the minister is saying that things were working better and that they were very aware of the problems with the current system. In passing, the figures are very telling here. But we are not yet able to say whether the new system will fix these problems.

Official Languages committee  For decades, we had proof that there was pressure to assimilate with the transfer of francophone families to bases where the support services for those families were almost non-existent. I don't know whether this new approach will change existing trends.

Official Languages committee  First, we must recognize that the Canadian Forces have shown good will by going beyond the requirements of the act. This universal approach, the goal of which was to ensure that everyone would speak both official languages, was admirable, but to some extent it was done without specific targets.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank the Standing Committee on Official Languages for inviting me to discuss the official languages program in the Department of National Defence. I would like to introduce the gentlemen accompanying me, Gérard Finn, Renald Dussault and Marcel Charlebois.

Official Languages committee  I will repeat what I said in my opening statement: online services are essential. With respect to Aeroplan, there is a grey zone in terms of areas of jurisdiction. It is difficult to intervene when there are provincial areas of jurisdiction involving the Consumer Protection Act.

Official Languages committee  In my opinion, the concept of respect is central to my mission as Commissioner of Official Languages. It is a value which I care deeply about. I accepted this responsibility to make sure that the act is respected.

Official Languages committee  Sure. As Monsieur Dussault said to you earlier, we have established working relationships with Air Canada, trying to establish some proactive discussions about how some of these chronic problems can be alleviated. I'm certainly coming to realize there are some chronic areas and there is a....

Official Languages committee  Yes. If I believed it was impossible, I would not be here today. I took on this responsibility because I believed it was a realistic ideal, an important challenge which had not yet been achieved. If I had given up on this notion of equality, I wouldn't be here today.

Official Languages committee  I certainly hope so.

Official Languages committee  Yes, I received the message and appreciated it very much.

Official Languages committee  I would like to make a brief comment. I am at the beginning of my term and I am not prepared to impute motives to anyone because I haven't yet gone through this experience. My approach is to be as positive as possible but I will take your experience into consideration.

Official Languages committee  I believe it comes under federal jurisdiction. My advisor tells me that is so.

Official Languages committee  That's under provincial jurisdiction.