Evidence of meeting #52 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 commissioner.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Are you telling me that she can answer questions regarding Heritage Canada, but not official languages?
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
No, I did not say that she would be answering questions about the Commission.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
It is not at all a matter of her saying whether or not the Commissioner is doing a good job. That does not fall within her purview. That does not fall within her responsibilities at all. That is not what I explained. I talked about programs. When the Commissioner says that he has plans and priorities and that he wants to use a part of his budget on a given priority, it is because in his view, there are shortcomings.
With respect to shortcomings in the area of official languages, which have been considered by this committee, we are asking the Minister responsible for Official Languages to tell us not what she thinks about the Commissioner—and if we weren't in public, I would tell you what I think—but rather if she has the intention of correcting shortcomings in the program? If so, how? If not, why not?
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
First of all, she is not going to be discussing the main estimates. This is about the Official Languages Commissioner and his office.
I know what you mean, but it may be better, in this case, to meet with the minister near the end of the meeting, after reading the document and the other one, which I would imagine will be tabled on May 15, so that we can ask her where she is going. This is more important than discussing the main estimates.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
The minister received this document before we did. She has examined it with her staff and has an opinion about it. I would imagine that she had an opinion about this report before she even read it, but after analyzing it, she has an idea about what things are interesting in the report and how they tie into her program as a minister.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
But we are not going to be discussing the budget. That is what I am trying to tell you.
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
But in your motion, it is written: "[...] to discuss the main estimates [...]" We can change it then.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I am prepared to amend my motion. I would ask that the minister come to talk about the priorities of this program.
Conservative
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
If you would like to amend my motion, suggest an amendment. I have no problem with that.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I think that we are trying to do two different things at the same time. Perhaps we should hold two separate meetings.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Yes. We will hear from two important individuals who will talk about different things at the same time. It is better to hold one meeting with the Commissioner regarding his budget, priorities, and what he would like to do, and then, if we wish to hear from the minister, we could invite her.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
No, your motion does not say that. Your motion—
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I asked for an amendment. Ms. Boucher criticized. I said that I was prepared to accept an amendment so that it wouldn't be too ambiguous. I have no problem with that. What you have just said, Mr. Lemieux, is very similar to what I have just said.
