Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
I wish to welcome our two special guests: the Hon. Josée Verner, Minister of La Francophonie and Official Languages, and the Hon. Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence.
I would like to also welcome Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage; General R.J. Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff, Department of National Defence; and Colonel J.L. Milot,
Director of Official Languages at the Department of National Defence.
Welcome to you all.
Your appearance this morning marks an historic moment. I believe that this is the very first time that a committee is hearing from two ministers at the same time.
I believe we might be making history, in that I think it's the first time, certainly in my time, that two ministers have appeared before this committee. I think it's rather historic that this is happening.
I want to thank both ministers for the respect they've shown to the official languages committee, and to official languages. I must thank your staff too, because it was quite a job getting you both here on such short notice, and both of you together. So we thank you for that. As a committee, we respect that you think so much of us to do that, and we respect what you're doing for official languages.
We will begin by asking Ms. Verner to speak for approximately 10 minutes. She will then be followed by Minister O'Connor. We will then move on to two rounds of questions.
Madam, you may begin.