Official Languages Committee on May 1st, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Chong.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

I have a question for you, Mr. Chair, if anybody can answer it.

These are allegations. Are these allegations supported through a tape recording or some sort of recording? In other words, do we have proof that he has—

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

It's apparently testimony, according to the researcher.

[Jean-Rodrigue Paré]

It's testimony from the officials affidavits.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

It's affidavits from the referees.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

But there's no tape, is there? I just wanted to clarify that.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Mrs. Boucher.

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

I feel I have to say something here. As francophones, we want to know why they chose Mr. Doan. We know there are some very serious allegations against him, but this is first and foremost a question of perception. It is often said that in business and in politics, perception is very important. What we have here is a perception of a lack of respect for the francophone community.

I agree with the motion, and I would call for the vote.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Mr. Godin.

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

I want to talk about perception and probability. Let us say that there are allegations about someone who works in a bank. That person is taken to court because he or she may have robbed the bank. The bank management, for its part, decides to remove the bank manager from his position at the same time. Normally, the person is sidelined until a decision is made. But that is not what was done in this case.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Thank you. I think all members have had an opportunity to express their views and discuss the issue. I will call the vote.

(The motion was carried.)

[An hon. member]

It is unanimous.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

We have plenty of time to discuss the committee's future business.

Mr. Nadeau.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I will speak once you have finished, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

We will take a two-minute break before we continue our business in camera.

[The meeting continued in camera.]