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.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Guy Lauzon
The meeting resumed in public.
Ms. Folco, we will now discuss your motion.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My motion reads as follows:
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), that the Standing Committee on Official Languages invite the Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Graham Fraser, followed at a later date by the Hon. Josée Verner, Minister responsible for La Francophonie and Official Languages, to appear before the Standing Committee on Official Languages to discuss the 2007-2008 estimates and Part III of the Report on Plans and Priorities.
Mr. Chairman, the motion was received two weeks ago, and I believe that it is important to discuss it. However, according to the work plan you have just circulated, it has been suggested that during week 22, on May 29, we invite the Official Languages Commissioner. I believe that the Commissioner is currently holding various briefing sessions with ministers. If the motion is adopted, I would suggest that we push up the date to meet with the Commissioner.
I am suggesting that we summon the Commissioner before hearing from the minister so that the Commissioner can provide us with some information. There are certain issues with which he may or may not agree. Hearing from him first will then allow us to ask the minister questions. We would be able to convey to her what opinions the Commissioner holds, and then ask her what she herself thinks of them. If we invited the Commissioner first, followed by the minister, we would receive a more solid opinion.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Guy Lauzon
The reason why we suggested that the Commissioner appear on the 29th is because—
9:40 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Danielle Bélisle
The reason is that there is not a lot of money. The Commissioner will be tabling his annual report on May 15. By that date, people will not have had enough time to go through the report thoroughly, and prepare questions. The same applies for the May 17. Unfortunately, we are not sitting during the week following. The Commissioner is available, and his appearance has already been confirmed for the 29th. It has already been accounted for in the budget. The deadline for the budget is either the 29th or the 30th, because we have to report by the 31st. After this, the research analyst has suggested inviting the minister. That is why the dates have been chosen as such. It is up to the committee to decide.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
You are talking about the annual report, which is not what the motion is about.
9:40 a.m.
The Clerk
No, I know, but we are dealing with two things in one.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I agree in part with Ms. Folco's motion. However, I do not see why Minister Verner would come to talk about this blue document we have here before us, when it's not even her report. It is a report dealing strictly with the expenditures made by Graham Fraser.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
The Commissioner of Official Languages is an officer of Parliament. He is the one who produced the report, therefore it is up to him to appear before us and explain it. This report has been prepared by the Commissioner's Office. We have all read it. Personally, I do not see why Ms. Verner would come talk about this document. She can talk about a different subject.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Chairman, since I served as chair of this committee last year, I understand that this is statutory, and it is completely normal for the minister to comment on the annual report, every year, before the deadline.
9:40 a.m.
Jean-Rodrigue Paré Committee Researcher
This is normally true, when it concerns the department. However, in this case, it concerns the Commissioner's Office. The Commissioner is responsible for tabling his own budgetary needs for the upcoming year. In this case, it is the Commissioner himself who must justify these demands. We therefore can ask him questions if he has the resources he needs to carry out his duties.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
The Commissioner tables the document, but is it approved by the minister?
May 1st, 2007 / 9:45 a.m.
Committee Researcher
No, it is not approved by the minister; it is approved by the Treasury Board.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Therefore, if it is approved by the Treasury Board, I do not see why the minister would come to talk about it. These are expenditures set out for Mr. Fraser, overseen by the Treasury Board. Ms. Verner has nothing to do with the estimates.
9:45 a.m.
Committee Researcher
Monies attributed come from Privy Council budgets in order to avoid ministerial interference.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Part III of the estimates is the Report on Plans and Priorities. As regards official languages in Canada, the Commissioner sets out the order of priorities and identifies any shortcomings. So he can say that he wants a budget of $5 next year in order to make up for the shortfall. I believe that up until now, we all agree.
The reason why I feel it is important to invite the minister afterwards is because we need to ask her what has been planned in developing her program, since the Commissioner has identified shortcomings in specific areas. I would like to know what she intends to develop in order to overcome the gaps the Commissioner has identified.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
9:45 a.m.
Committee Researcher
Fundamentally, there are two elements concerning plans and priorities. Minister Verner can appear and answer our questions regarding the plans and priorities of Heritage Canada with respect to official languages. With this blue book we can analyze the Report on Plans and Priorities of Heritage Canada and the segment which deals exclusively with official languages. At that point, the minister would be able to answer questions, because she has been delegated responsibility by Ms. Oda to do so. All this would be quite justified.