Official Languages Committee on Nov. 2nd, 2006

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

You and I have had occasion to discuss this question, sir.

You're wondering whether such and such a service, which was in place before Air Canada's restructuring and privatization, would have been subject to the provisions of the act. Probably. However, things changed such that it was not subject to the act at the time of the restructuring. We're currently trying to restore the philosophy underlying the act, as well as the affiliates that were subject to it. We thus want to ensure that Air Canada complies with the spirit and letter of the act.

I can't presume, sir, what will happen, in 20 or 25 years, to the act that governs the Highway Safety Code, for example. It's possible that we'll be required to drive at 50 km/hr in 20 years. We now drive at 100 km/hr on major roadways.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Yes, but, minister, 50 km/hr...

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

What I mean, Mr. Godin, is that things change. The intent of the act, having regard to the present situation, is to restore what previously existed.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We want to change; we can no doubt change the speed to 50 km/hr. However, I'm sure that both Anglophone and Francophones will have to drive at 50 km/hr. That's the problem.

When Air Canada was sold, the government had promised that that business would comply with the Official Languages Act. However, Air Canada isn't complying with the Official Languages Act.

I've often cited this example to the committee. While on board an aircraft, one gentleman asked a flight attendant for a can of 7UP. How could he say it otherwise? It seems to me you don't need to be bilingual to know what 7UP is. He was arrested by police in Ottawa when he deplaned. He took the matter to court and won. Air Canada appealed from that decision simply to show how far it was prepared to fight.

When Air Canada placed itself under the protection of the Bankruptcy Act, a judge decided that the Official Languages Act passed by Parliament would be set aside. He didn't even want the Commissioner of Official Languages to get involved in the matter until the Air Canada problem had been solved. That shows you the lack of respect for official languages in Canada.

Minister, now that Air Canada is a private business, it's changing and will be offering new services. Will respect for official languages be set aside too? The services of Air Canada Online differ depending whether they're being offered to an Anglophone or a Francophone?

Is that what you're saying, minister?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

No, not at all, sir, and you're exaggerating somewhat.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Not at all. Everything I said is correct.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Sir, let's stick to the facts.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Let's go to the facts.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Table 1 in chapter 8 of the 2005-2006 annual report of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages states that, from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, Air Canada was the subject of 69 admissible complaints. During that period, Air Canada served 32 million passengers. Of those 69 complaints, 21 complaints were founded, nine were unfounded and 39 are under investigation; the remaining six were withdrawn by the complainants.

That means that Air Canada received one complaint for every 463,764.11 passengers that it served. The percentage of passengers who filed a complaint against Air Canada on the language question was 0.000215625 percent.

You'll agree with me that that's a fairly small figure.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

But what does that change?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

And...

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We're talking about an act, we're not talking about...

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

What does that change? No, but...

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We're not talking... Minister...

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

With your permission, I'll finish.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

The minister wants to finish.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Yes, but it's my time, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

I know, but the minister wants to respond.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

If I'm satisfied with his answer, I can ask another question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Mr. Godin, he's trying to answer your question.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Yes, but I don't want all my time to be devoted to the answer.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Yes, but you have 60 seconds left.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I don't want statistics, Mr. Chair; I want to know the provisions the act makes for protecting people.

For example, Mr. Chair, if I phone, wait for 20 minutes without getting an answer and call back, going through the Anglophone loop this time, if I immediately get through and I don't file a complaint, it won't be recorded.

I want to know in what way Air Canada is subject to the Official Languages Act with regard to respecting the two official languages of our country.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

That's what we're doing.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Well, no, you're telling us that...