Official Languages Committee on May 31st, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So we would remove the words "in the fall".

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

The reference to the fall and the—

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

—a study on the Canada-communities agreements in each province and territory.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes, and we would refer this to the steering committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I'm told that there is no such subcommittee here.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

There isn't? Great! We'll discuss it again then in the fall.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So it will be up to the committee—

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

Could I ask you to read it one more time, Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I will reread the motion.

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

I would like to take a break.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I will read it one last time. Then we will take a break.

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

[Editor's note: inaudible] write it down.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The motion reads as follows: It is moved by Richard Nadeau that the Committee hold four meetings (or more, if needed) on the subject of the Court Challenges Program: one to be held by June 7, 2007 at the latest with Graham Fraser, the Commissioner of Official Languages and one meeting with the Minister responsible for la Francophonie and Official Languages, Ms. Josée Verner; and one meeting with the Société nationale de l'Acadie and the other groups representing the regions in the country, and one meeting with la Société Radio-Canada; and a meeting with representatives of Anglophone organizations in Quebec.

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

Outside Montreal or in Montreal?

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

Anglophones in Quebec.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

They may be from Pontiac, which is just on the other side of the river.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Would you care to make a comment as mover of the motion, Mr. Nadeau?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes. The meetings with Mr. Fraser and Ms. Verner would be separate, they would not necessarily be held on the same day.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Fine, so there would be one meeting with Mr. Fraser and one meeting with Ms. Verner.

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

If possible.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

We will invite them.

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

Yes, exactly. There is a problem, because the motion states: "by June 7, 2007".

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

For Mr. Fraser.

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

I do understand. Wait a minute!

If Ms. Verner is not available, we have a problem. Usually we would say: "as soon as possible". We will try to meet with her by June 7, but we cannot be specific about that. If she is not available, she is simply not available.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you. I think we have made a note of that, Mr. Lemieux.

I am also told that it is possible to have each party vote on the motion separately.