Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to begin by saying that I am a member of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, along with Mr. Godin, and have been since becoming a federal member of Parliament. I am very much alive to issues surrounding the official languages, just as I am to the intent behind this bill. At first glance, it seems to be very simple, but the words “without the assistance of an interpreter” are problematic, in my opinion.
There are a number of lawyers here in this room. Mr. Ménard, Mr. Lemay and myself are members of the Quebec Bar. M. Murphy, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Moore and Mr. Comartin are also lawyers. Most of them are bilingual, but--
Oh, my apologies, Ms. Jennings!