Official Languages Committee on June 8th, 2006

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

You will? All right.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I will be presenting the next report.

I don't know if Ms. LaRocque, Deputy Minister for Heritage, has anything else to add.

[Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

The situation has not really changed, the minister responsible for official languages tables the report to the House of Commons.

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

When will that be tabled?

[Hubert Lussier]

It's a matter of weeks. We are referring here to the report for committee members for the fiscal year 2004-2005.

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

All right.

With respect to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, there was an agreement pursuant to which Quebec took over some responsibility for part of immigration to the province. They may go to other countries. Take for instance the fact that Quebec has sent representatives to France, and other countries as well. When it comes to communities sur as ours, outside of Quebec, such as New Brunswick, I'm reminded of the fact that the former leader of the opposition at the time said that Quebec could emulate the Belgium model and take care of francophones while the rest of Canada would focus on anglophones. It was the subject of much controversy. I was very worried by that.

What is the government doing to ensure that we are represented in the field of immigration so that people may immigrate to New Brunswick, for instance?

I'm sure that the President of the SAANB has brought this to your attention or to that of the department. Francophone communities outside of Quebec are worried. They are concerned about the lack of francophone immigration to the regions. They do not want strictly anglophone immigration.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, Quebec does have some authority in these matters. If I'm not mistaken, that was set out under the Couture-Cullen Agreement. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is responsible for these matters, as noted by the expert I am accompanied by today. We discussed the issue with communities. We understand that there is a real interest there.

When I went to St. Boniface I had an opportunity to meet with concerned citizens about that, at the University College.

I intend to work closely with my colleague the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration Canada on this file. We will certainly make sure that communities get an opportunity to be heard. We understand that there would be additional advantages for them as well.

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

One of the problems we have is that we get the impression that people from other countries have no idea of the existence of francophones in Canada outside of Quebec. There was a French student who wanted to come to Moncton. I had to sign a letter in my office and send it to the Canadian Embassy in France in order to confirm the existence of the University of Moncton. Otherwise, he would not have been allowed to come to Moncton, because it is not designated as an institution in Quebec.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Guy Lauzon]

Thank you very much to all members of the committee. I'd like to thank our witnesses, specifically the Minister for International Cooperation, the Francophonie and Official Languages, Ms. Verner.

We will adjourn this part of the meeting, and resume in camera in two minutes.

(Proceedings continue in camera)