Evidence of meeting #149 for Canadian Heritage in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was line.

A video is available from Parliament.

minutes of proceedings

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Philippe Méla  Legislative Clerk
Hélène Laurendeau  Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage

Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON

The subamendment, essentially, is a separate amendment on its own, so in fact, it will be voted.... My understanding is that we vote on Ms. May's amendment, all three components, and then vote on Mr. Hogg's amendment.

As spoken

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

Clarification, Madam Chair. As it stands now, with the subamendment by Mr. Hogg, PV-2 has an (a), (b) and (c) components to it. Is that correct?

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Mr. Boissonnault.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Yes.

As spoken

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

Okay. Thank you.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Mr. Nantel, you have the floor.

Translated

Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC

If I understand correctly, Mr. Hogg's subamendment is very similar to Liberal amendment LIB-02.

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The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

That seems to be the case.

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Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC

This only concerns point (b).

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The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Yes.

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Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC

Okay, thank you.

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The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Mr. Shields.

As spoken

5:10 p.m.

Conservative

Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB

Just for clarification, we have voted on the subamendment. Now, we will vote on or debate the motion that has been amended. That's what we're doing.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Yes, we're discussing PV-2, as amended.

As spoken

5:10 p.m.

Conservative

Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB

It's not breaking it into three. We're voting on the motion that's been amended, period.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Yes. What I said was that the only way not to vote on it as full is if someone brought a subamendment.

As spoken

5:10 p.m.

Conservative

Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB

Right. Thank you.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

That's it.

We are now voting on PV-2....

Mr. Boissonnault.

As spoken

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to move an amendment to PV-2 that would strike (a) and (c), leaving (b).

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

It would be leaving (b), as amended by the subamendment.

As spoken

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

That's correct.

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The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

All right. Is there any debate on Mr. Boissonnault's subamendment to strike (a) and (c) in PV-2, leaving (b) as amended?

Ms. May.

As spoken

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

I just want to understand the rationale. I think “proficiency” is better than “fluency”, but not a great deal hangs on it in terms of how the bill operates. However, a great deal hangs on the recognition of articles 13 and 14 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Maybe Randy could give us some rationale for why (c) is unacceptable. I think (b) as amended still carries some good changes within it, but without articles 13 and 14 of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, I think the whole amendment is very weakened.

As spoken

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

Thank you for that, Madam Chair, and to my honourable colleague.

I think the reason we have concerns about (a) and (c) in PV-2 is that we heard clearly from the community that they want to decide how best to support their languages. They don't want top-down government direction. We heard that repeatedly. That needs to come back.

As you heard us say, we're supportive of (b). We just suggested some different wording there about increasing the number of speakers. Listing schools is very specific. Schools are important, but not directly connected to languages, and other things on the list are specific to a language focus.

Our entire point of doing this work is to respect not only the TRC but the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Mr. Anandasangaree.

As spoken