Evidence of meeting #43 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was bilingual.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
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.
Conservative
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?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
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...
Conservative
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
...and also training.
NDP
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.
Conservative
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?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
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.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I was wondering the same thing about the Official Languages Act. How are regions designated bilingual?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
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.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
The biggest francophone city is considered bilingual, isn't it?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Is that a requirement under the Official Languages Act?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes, it is
Conservative
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.
NDP