Justice committee  The only way, really, would be to put it in the Constitution. Short of that, even if you put it in a bill or a statute, the same government or the next government can repeal the statute, Parliament being sobering. The only way to really make it almost impossible, or difficult, to

Justice committee  You're right. The issue of signage in Quebec in the Charter of the French Language made its way in Canada all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which struck down the provisions, at least those that prohibited the use of any language other than French on signage. The Bourass

Justice committee  The only thing I wish to add with regard to language rights is that there was a period during which there was no court challenges program for language rights. It was between 2006, when the program was cancelled, and 2009, when the new program to assist with language rights came i

Justice committee  I agree with Yvan. Indeed there are no constitutional provisions requiring that the justices of the Supreme Court of Canada be bilingual. That's the key criteria to get funds under the court challenges program and now the PADL since 2008.

Justice committee  Your question is about whether there are still cases regarding language rights.

Justice committee  For equality rights, I would ask my colleague Erin Brady to talk.

Justice committee  If I may, I would like to specify that the province mentioned only one problem. At the end of the letter, it mentions transcribers.

Justice committee  Yes, definitely.

Justice committee  Actually, it did respond.

Justice committee  My colleagues can add to my response as I am not completely familiar with the case. However, it appears clear to us that the Criminal Code clearly states that every accused has the right to a trial before a judge, a crown attorney and a jury who speak the same official language a

Justice committee  That is correct, whether judges are appointed provincially or federally.

Justice committee  Sections 530 and 530.1 of the Criminal Code clearly set out the right to a trial before a judge, a prosecutor and a jury who speak the same official language as the accused.

Justice committee  Perhaps I can give some reaction. In reading the six letters, there are some common issues that are raised or non-issues that are mentioned. For example, in a few letters they simply say that generally speaking, there are no significant or major problems. However, this is not t

Justice committee  One of the letters indeed deals with the issue of interim release with that province asking for clarification as to whether that is part of the trial. There is case law to the effect that indeed it is part of the trial. Maître Soublière could add to that. There is also the issu

Justice committee  I will ask my colleague Mr. Doyle to answer that question, as he is in a better position to do so.