Official Languages Committee on May 31st, 2007

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

I would like to move an amendment, because the motion contains various subjects. There are meetings on the Court Challenges Program, and that is one subject. There are the appearances by the Commissioner and by the minister. That makes six meetings. We really do not know when the session will end. When we invite the representatives of Radio-Canada and the anglophone groups in Quebec, if we don't have a topic for them—

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

Mr. Lemieux, the anglophone groups in Quebec are included in the discussions regarding court challenges. I explained that point. When I suggested that we invite the anglophone groups in Quebec, it is because we often have the impression that the Court Challenges Program applied to francophone Canadians only.

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

You're right, you did say that, but the motion states that this would be a meeting with anglophone Quebeckers, and says nothing about the Court Challenges Program.

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

Yes.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, Mr. Nadeau?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

You can delete the reference to a meeting with anglophone Quebeckers. That would make one fewer meeting for us. Anglophone Quebeckers would be invited to appear at one of the four or more meetings dedicated to the Court Challenges Program.

Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Lemieux.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You are suggesting four or more meetings, if needed, on the Court Challenges Program, including a meeting with an anglophone Quebecker group.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

The witnesses appearing at those meetings could include our anglophone Quebecker friends.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We can leave it that way if you like, specifying that you would like to see anglophone Quebeckers at one of those four meetings.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Perfect.

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

There's a problem, because we are in the process of naming other groups, but we are not naming that group.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

No.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Folco.

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

I would like to have that reread. I apologize for that, but there have been changes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Of course.

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

I want to be sure about what I am voting on.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That's fine. Mr. Richard Nadeau moved that the committee hold four meetings (or more, if needed) on the subject of the Court Challenges Program, including one meeting with anglophone organizations in Quebec, one meeting with the Commissioner of Official Languages, to be held by June 7—

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

Forgive me, but what about saying "including" instead of "one meeting"?

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Including witnesses.

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

Because I don't see a meeting... If we said: "including witnesses representing the following organizations: anglophone Quebeckers, Acadians, SOS Montfort, and so on". Then it becomes clear that they are all being seen under the same umbrella.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

He moved the motion, so it is his recommendation.

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

No but all I'm doing is making a suggestion to my colleague.