Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Yes, but we are repeating the same thing twice. It is enough to simply inform witnesses that when they come here, they must have provided documents—
Conservative
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
I want to make sure that I am being understood. I agree entirely: all documentation distributed here must be in both languages. I do not know if I express myself well, but I am correcting Mr. Harvey because of what he just said. Individuals and associations who come here are under no obligation to submit their documents in both languages. None. That is understood. But the way in which we are wording these motions give the impression that we expect these people to give us the documents in both languages, whereas that is not the case. The responsibility is strictly on the side of Parliament, and we take on that responsibility because we have the necessary resources to ensure that things are translated. When the clerk communicates with witnesses, I would not want him to give the impression that the witnesses have this responsibility. That is not the case. It is a nuance, but it is very important.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
If the document has not been translated, when it arrives here, it cannot be distributed.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If you want your document to be distributed, send it to us a week in advance so that we can have it translated, or bring the translated version yourself.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I feel that my amendment, which was simple, has become much too complicated.
It was a friendly amendment meant only to make sure that the witnesses who come know that if they want their documentation distributed, it needs to be bilingual. That was it.
So if they want to translate it themselves, they can. If they want to send it to the committee, they can. The clerk can explain all of that. My only concern was that the witnesses know in advance that if they want their documentation distributed, it must be in both official languages. It's no more complicated than that. There is no hidden agenda. Let's just be up front with the witnesses so that they don't come here and then say, “You know I prepared this, and no one told me”, or “it wasn't clear”. That's all.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Lemieux, you still maintain your friendly amendment intended to inform people that translation services are available? Do you want it to be part of the motion? Do you agree with the wording of the motion that Chad read?
Are there any other comments? If there are none, I am ready to put the question on the amendment.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Chairman, it is not proper French. The amendment is fine, but when it refers to the first part, it does not work anymore.
Conservative
Procedural Clerk
It reads as follows: “and as the documents provided must be in both official languages in order to be distributed...”
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We can set the amendment aside or deal with it. We agree on the intent; it is a question of finding an appropriate wording. If you wish, we will make one more attempt.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
My comment deals simply with the quality of the French. One cannot use the verb “pouvoir”. I do not want to launch into lengthy grammatical analyses. It does not at all change the sense of what the clerk was trying to say.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
The full motion would read as follows:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to the members [...] and as the documents must be in both official languages in order to be distributed, that the clerk inform witnesses of the availability of translation services.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Does anyone move that we vote on the amendment? We will reread the amendment one last time before putting the question.
We are dealing with the amendment.Reread only the amendment.
The Clerk
Just the amendment? All right.
Mr. Bélanger proposes the following wording:
and, as the documents must be in both official languages in order to be distributed, that the Clerk inform witnesses of the availability of translation services.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Is it Mr. Bélanger or Mr. Lemieux who is moving the amendment? It is Mr. Lemieux who is moving it.
All in favour of the amendment?
(Amendment agreed to)
All in favour of the motion?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Wonderful. Thank you.
We have other motions to deal with. I am ready to receive other notices of motion for our procedural rules.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I move:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee.
Without amendment, Mr. Chairman.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
All those in favour of the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Godin.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I move:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Are there any questions or comments?
All those in favour of the motion?
All those opposed?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Godin.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I move:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.