SNC-Lavalin has a number of employees who speak various languages. I believe that at least 50 different languages are spoken by SNC-Lavalin employees. That makes things quite a bit easier. It isn't simply a matter of speaking Arabic or Chinese or some other language; in order to understand other people, we must also be familiar with their cultures and values, so that we know how to approach them, how to communicate with them.
For example, one day, when I was with CAE, we entertained Egyptian clients. We arrived late for lunch and we saw that all that was left were ham sandwiches. I immediately realized that they don't eat ham. That is the type of thing that we have to be careful of.
When you deal with people from the Arab or the Chinese community and you speak their language, it makes things easier. You are better able to understand their environment and what happens there, particularly when people have a hard time expressing themselves in English, French, or another language. You can make your point much more effectively.
For some time now, in Arab countries, particularly in the Gulf, education has been provided in English and people there speak English quite well. Many of them also speak French. Our business with them is conducted mostly in English. There are few technical terms in Arabic. But you still have an advantage if you understand the Arab language. It helps you to see what is happening there, how people think, what motivates them, etc. It is important for the government to work along those lines, as we have been doing it as a matter of course within our company. We try to assign employees who speak the language of the country to make things easier for the clients, to better understand their culture, but also to provide better support for those who are sent to work there.
For example, when we want to send someone to China, it is preferable to ask a Chinese employee to go, because it will be easier for him. The same applies to Arab employees who are sent to work in Egypt. As to the UAE, everyone wants to work there, because life is wonderful, but the situation does not apply to other countries. If we send a Muslim to Saudi Arabia, he will have no problems, but if we send a European, a Canadian or a Christian Arab there with his family for two or three years, they will have a hard time of it. If they only go for two weeks or a month, it will be no problem, but if they stay longer they will find it difficult. That is why we need the right mix of people to manage and help businesses, the government, and Canada as a whole.
I don't know if that answers your question, but I think that is what must be done. Culture is important. It is one of the things that must be considered.