Official Languages Committee on March 1st, 2007

[Graham Fraser]

Well, the figures more or less speak for themselves in relation to the proportion of non-bilingual people holding positions that are designated bilingual. Only 47% of people holding positions designated bilingual are in fact bilingual. That's a failure in my book.

I don't know any assessment system where 47% could be considered a success. At least at my school, when you got 47%, you didn't pass.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Godin referred earlier to unilingual English documents. Is there a specific policy on documentation being in both official languages in the Canadian armed forces?

[Graham Fraser]

Members of the Canadian Forces, just like all public servants and members of any federal institution, are entitled to get documentation in their own official language. There is a requirement that bilingual documentation be provided...

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

How can you...?

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

On a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

How come? I'm asking a question.

[Graham Fraser]

...and also training.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Oh, I see.

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

I just want things to be clear, we weren't talking about all documentation within the Canadian armed forces. We were talking about the training textbooks. I just wanted that to be clear.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I see.

I have another question. How do you designate which units will be francophone, anglophone or bilingual in the Canadian armed forces?

[Graham Fraser]

It's the Canadian armed forces' responsibility; it's not part of my mandate as commissioner. You should ask the Canadian armed forces that question. That's one of the questions I intend to ask, but I don't have an answer right now.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I was wondering the same thing about the Official Languages Act. How are regions designated bilingual?

[Graham Fraser]

According to the regulations, the bilingual regions as far as language of work in the public service is concerned are the National Capital Region, part of Quebec, northern and eastern Ontario and New Brunswick.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

The biggest francophone city is considered bilingual, isn't it?

[Graham Fraser]

Yes.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Is that a requirement under the Official Languages Act?

[Graham Fraser]

Yes, it is

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Have you finished, Ms. Boucher? Thank you.

I'd like to ask Mr. Godin to wait for his turn, again.

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

Excuse me?

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

I said: “again”.

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

No, it's my turn! Just like everyone else had a turn.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

I'm sorry, Mr. Godin.

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

I accept your apology, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

My most sincere apologies.