Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
There are many things and many situations that I find somewhat bewildering but in some cases, as a colleague of mine said, when it hurts, it tears away at my insides. You can imagine the pain.
We are talking about reviving linguistic duality in the federal public service, as if it had already been alive and as if it was being born again. We're also talking about improving the bilingual capacity of the public service. We know that French-speaking citizens should be able to get service in French from the Canadian state apparatus. We know the theory, but there are some practical problems.
I noted that funds had been allocated to that end and I will give you a few examples.
At the Canada post office in Saskatoon—it was the only one and it was near the municipal library—, there was a little blue sign that said: On vous sert en français, or it would say in red letters: “We serve in English”. During six years, each time I went there, the clerk looked at me with a discouraged expression. I'd say to him: Je veux des timbres. He would open his little drawer, take out his card, show me that the word timbres was written on it and he would say “Oh, stamps, how many?” I would answer as I pointed with my finger: J'en veux dix. “Oh, ten”, he would reply.
This went on for six years. This post office was pretending that it offered a service in both official languages. Perhaps there was a lack of goodwill, and perhaps this person should have been replaced. After all, at the post office, we do not want to spend too long waiting.
I have another example for you from Air Canada. You must have heard about this. In Le Droit, there was an article about Mr. Jean Léger, an Acadian who is fed up, and who missed his plane because he insisted on being served in French. Some might say that Air Canada is a subcontractor of the state. I am sorry, but this company receives federal funds.
Another, very sad example, has to do with Justin Bell from Gravelbourg. I got to know his parents because they were fighting to open the Beauséjour school in Gravelbourg. Justin Bell attended this French school, where French was taught as a first language. The parents went so far as to mortgage their home so that teachers could be hired. Then came school governance. After 64 years without a French school, they finally got one. They sent their child there. Today he is 25 years old and a teacher in Saskatchewan. He is a charming young gentleman. He got a ticket from the RCMP and asked to be served in French. They answered him in German, which was just adding insult to injury. All the events I mentioned happened in 2007.
Do you remember the 1988 Mercure decision which gave rise to the signing of the very first agreement between Canada and the communities? Mr. Lussier, you know that very well.
I have nothing against virtue, but I rather like the idea of preaching by example. However, the federal government, even within its own organizations... And do not try to tell me that the RCMP does not answer to some department, or, with regard to Canada Post, that this company is an agency or a crown corporation.
How do you evaluate the progress made with the action plan for citizens who want services in French? We saw the same thing happen here at the municipal level, in Ottawa, Canada's capital, a capital that is not bilingual. A person wanted to be served in French by an Ottawa police officer, but I think that it all ended up at the police station and that it had nothing to do with getting services in French.
By what measure can we say that progress is being made? Justin Bell turned to the Court Challenges Program. I know that this is not your responsibility. It will be voted on sooner or later. This program was abolished by the government. I am not pointing an accusing finger. However, he cannot even go to court to challenge the government, namely the RCMP, after having requested services in French. What kind of message are we sending to this young person? Does it mean that after having studied in French, we have no right to be served in French in our society? I do not want to reprehend you. However, it makes me feel worried and torn up inside.
Earlier, I spoke of schools and education. In Saskatchewan, only 10% of those who are eligible attend schools where French is the first language. Ninety per cent do not go there. Will you tell the school boards that this is under provincial jurisdiction?
That being said, to what extent are things improving for francophones outside Quebec, for the francophone communities in Saskatchewan and Acadia and for those, of which I am one, who want to obtain services in French?
I would like to hear what you have to say.
