Official Languages Committee on June 5th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So then we can move forward. The clerk will have the opportunity to call witnesses for the upcoming meetings and authorize the expenditure.

Thank you. Is everyone agreed?

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

Have we agreed on the witnesses?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We are looking at committee business now. The list of witnesses should be distributed. As you know, the official languages commissioner will appear next Thursday. I have asked the clerk to put forward a list of witnesses for the three other meetings, which will be on the Court Challenges Program.

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

I submitted a list of witnesses, which included Ms. Marie-Claire Paulin. I would like to take her name off the list, since she is to appear in court. I don't think it's appropriate to hear a witness who is the principal complainant in a case to be heard by the court. I would like to take her name off the list.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That has been noted.

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

I would like you to look at the rest of the list. I think the main witnesses should appear immediately.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

If there are witnesses you consider important, I suggest you tell me who they are. The lists are long and since we can see only a limited number of people I would ask each party to set priorities and give us the names of the most important witnesses.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I agree to allow Mr. Godin's list to take priority.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Godin did not want to make his list the priority, he just wanted to take one name off it.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I realize that, but there are still other names on that list.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, there are.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yesterday, you were asking me to provide details...

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, and I'm asking everyone the same thing.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

At the last meeting, we talked about seeing five witnesses today and suggested that they be included in a second round, except for the person whose name has been withdrawn. I would agree to using Mr. Godin's list. Thursday, I will submit other priorities, as will my colleagues...

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

No, those priorities have to be submitted before Thursday, and preferably today, because on Thursday we would like to have a preliminary list ready for you.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

So are you giving us until tomorrow?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I would prefer you to have those names in today, by 5 p.m. It would be very much appreciated.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Very well, Mr. Chairman. I will try to do that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you.

There is a motion on the agenda. Do committee members want to discuss it?

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

I would like to introduce my motion, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, of course.

Ms. Folco.

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

Colleagues, this motion is further to other motions that...

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Forgive me, Ms. Folco, but I do not have your motion.

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

It is printed on the agenda itself, on both sides of the paper.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We will now consider the motion, which is item 2 on today's agenda.