Official Languages Committee on June 5th, 2007

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

As I was about to say, this motion is in keeping with previous motions tabled not only by myself, but other colleagues, mainly from the opposition. The intent of this motion is to have ministers appear before this committee and show accountability by addressing certain questions. I'm referring specifically to the five-year action plan that will expire in the spring of 2008. Some people may surely be aware that I have raised this matter during question period in the House of Commons, to which I was not given an adequate answer, be it negative or positive.

Moreover, representatives from official language minority communities have spoken to me and other colleagues about the fact that they should know where things stand concerning the action plan. These people are wondering whether or not the action plan will be amended or renewed. This is the object of my motion. I have named in it two ministers, the minister responsible, Ms. Oda, and Minister Verner. From experience, I happen to know that very often when one minister answers, the other is not necessarily aware. Regardless, I thought it would be important to have the minister responsible make a few comments, since she is the one who holds the purse strings, since we are talking about the action plan, and funding, Ms. Verner, who is responsible for official languages, should also appear.

The third paragraph refers to "reporting on what strategic plans are now being designed". This essentially means determining whether the ministers are discussing an action plan, and if so, where they are at. Since I am well aware that this committee may no longer be sitting during the weeks to come, because the House may adjourn for the summer, I have requested, bearing in mind our limited time, that the two ministers answer this question, to be found in paragraph 3, before the resumption of the Parliamentary session on September 18. This will give the ministers ample time to reply. We can then discuss this matter when we resume our work.

You are aware how important the Court Challenges Program is to me, but we absolutely must know what the government has in mind for the five-year action plan.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Two people have asked to speak. I simply want to inform members of this committee that it is 11 o'clock. We have set aside 15 minutes at the next meeting. The Commissioner of Official Languages is scheduled to appear at 11:45 a.m. Everyone received a notice of meeting 15 minutes ago.

I would like to know if members wish to debate the motion this morning or on Thursday.

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

Pardon me, Mr. Chairman, but the motion is already on the table. We don't know what's going to happen after Thursday. I believe that it is important we discuss the motion now and then move to a vote. We did not have the 15 minutes required to debate the motion, and it is now 10:55. I would ask that the discussion and vote be held today.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Folco, I simply want to clarify that following the meeting with the Commissioner of Official Languages, we have scheduled two meetings to discuss the Court Challenges Program. However, it is up to you to decide. We can discuss the motion now. We do not necessarily have the time today for this discussion, but you could have presented your motion—

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

Pardon me, Mr. Chairman, but time was set aside on the committee's agenda.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

It is on today's agenda, but I have also set aside 15 minutes for committee business at our next meeting. It is up to you.

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

I would like to know what my colleagues think of this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

All right. I will give the floor to the speakers following the order on my list.

Michael Chong, please go ahead.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We do not support this motion because it is not reasonable.

Programs, when they expire in a fiscal year on March 31, often have to go through cabinet processes, through a memorandum to cabinet to have a discussion among the government, among the ministry, whether or not to extend the program. I don't know with certainty, but I would imagine that this hasn't happened yet. That typically happens in the fall, during the budget cycle, as they plan for the next year's budget.

To have the minister appear in June 2007, so early in the cycle before they've had a chance to have discussions among their cabinet colleagues and among deputy ministers about whether or not and how the program might be extended, I don't think is reasonable. You'll get a lot of speculation and, frankly, a lot of non-information, because I don't think they've had those fulsome discussions yet at the cabinet level.

I suggest this would be much better discussed at committee as we go into the fall, maybe into.... Later on this year or early next year, I'm certain the government will have a very clear idea as to whether or not and how they're going to extend this program. But now, I think, it's premature. You'll simply get a lot of conjecture. You'll get a lot of non-answers and a lot of non-information. It's not because the minister is trying to hide anything; it's because, frankly, I don't think they've had a memorandum to cabinet, or that discussions between the minister and her deputy have taken place yet. It's pretty early in the cycle right now.

Typically, we have these discussions closer to the announcement of the budget, and not so early. So I'm not sure it's productive use of the committee's time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Chong.

I wanted to note that I had to be at a committee at 9 o'clock, and now another one at 11 o'clock. We can continue if the committee wants to. We could begin the discussion today. What I propose to do...

Yes?

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

I have to be at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and the meeting is beginning right now. I think that we should postpone the discussion until Thursday.

[A member]

Me too.

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

Will all due respect, Mr. Chairman, I would like to note that point 2 is reserved for committee work. I was expecting to have 15 or 20 minutes to discuss my motion. Certainly, I do not want us to go in a rush. I understand, but I would like to be sure that on Thursday, when we deal with committee work, we will have at least 15 minutes to discuss this. This is the only thing I am asking for.

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

The agenda says that there is a notice of motion. Therefore, the committee has received a notice of motion. We will discuss it on Thursday.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

If that is the pleasure of the committee. We have noted Ms. Folco's point. Thank you for your attendance today.

The meeting is adjourned.