Official Languages Committee on May 31st, 2007

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Right, and that we hear from the commissioner by June 7 at the latest.

Mr. Chairman, in order to quite down the ruckus caused earlier when I tabled a document in good faith, let us start by inviting the people whose names appear on the document, namely, Ms. Lalonde, who's in Ottawa, Mr. Gratton, who is in Ottawa and who was Mr. Mulroney's press attaché at the time, and Ms. Gratton, who ran as a Conservative candidate in Ontario. This would set aside any suspicions regarding partisan considerations. We could also invite Mr. Matte, Mr. Badiou, and another woman whose name I have forgotten.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

That is what I suggested.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

You already suggested that? Then I agree with my colleague, Mr. Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I made a note of that.

I had your name on my list, Mr. Godin.

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

I will not say much, because I think we are going on and on here for no good reason. In my opinion, the trip was not about the Court Challenges Program.

Mr. Harvey said that he is not getting an answer to his question, but the thing is that we cannot answer it because we want the witnesses to do that. That is why we are having them come here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Folco.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

I have nothing to add. I would like us to make a decision, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Very well.

So we have heard from everyone who wanted to speak. I would like to know the committee's position on Mr. Nadeau's recommendation. Do some of you want to vote on this?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Could we have the motion read one more time, please?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

May I move an amendment? I move that the motion be made a little shorter. Remind me what it says, because it is long.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

What we might do, Mr. Lemieux—

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

The thing is that if the motion is too long or too complicated, I would like to have a motion to—

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Could we have the motion read, Mr. Chairman?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Yes, exactly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The situation is this: I have no more speakers on my list, and Mr. Nadeau's motion reads as follows:

That the Committee hold four meetings (or more, if needed) on the subject of the Court Challenges Program, one meeting with the Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, to be held by June 7, 2007 at the latest...

We added Ms. Verner as well.

One meeting with the Société Nationale des Acadiens, and with the Société Radio-Canada.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

We should say "where we invite" the Acadian group. Is that not what you mean?

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Not just the Acadians, but the representatives from other regions as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That the Committee hold a meeting with groups representing anglophone Quebeckers and, in the fall, do a study of the Canada-community agreements in each province and territory in order to improve them.

That is how the motion reads.

[Christine Lafrance, Procedural Clerk]

The motion reads the Société nationale des Acadiens and other regions of the country.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Folco, the motion refers to the Société nationale des Acadiens and other regions of the country.

Mr. Godin.

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

The motion refers to the Société nationale de l'Acadie.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The Société nationale de l'Acadie. We will clarify that with the clerk and make the correction.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

You may strike out the reference to a study of the Canada-community agreements in my motion. That will simplify it, because I did say, "in the fall". This subject can be raised again in the fall when the steering committee meets, if my colleagues agree.

Do you see what I mean? I would strike out the word "fall".