Evidence of meeting #19 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was business.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
I would simply like to clarify one point concerning comments that were made about the use of French. As we just heard, documents must be forwarded in both official languages. However, what strikes us francophones most is that only one of the 11 witnesses can speak French—
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Monsieur Carrier, members of the public, as I've just said, have a right to communicate with parliamentary committees in either official language. Francophones can choose to present in either official language, as anglophones can.
That is the rule of the Parliament of Canada according to the Constitution Act and the Official Languages Act, and I'm not going to allow members of this committee to question members of the public who present in either official language.... They have the right to do so. That is a fundamental right in Canada.
5:05 p.m.
An hon. member
Hear, hear!
5:05 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
I wanted to clarify some points concerning a situation that caused a certain amount of discomfort. This is so that people know they can also speak in French. It isn't obvious.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
People understand that.
Madame Brisebois communicates very well in French. She fully understands that.
This is not up for debate. People in the public who present to this committee or any committee in Parliament can choose to present in French or in English. It is their choice. That is what O'Brien and Bosc says: those are the rules of Parliament according to the Constitution Act and the Official Languages Act.
Okay.
Merci.
The meeting is adjourned.