Official Languages Committee on Feb. 5th, 2008

[Karen Ellis]

We can describe our experience under the last action plan...

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

Did it help you?

[Karen Ellis]

The action plan? Of course.

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

So, if it is discontinued, that will not help you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you.

[Karen Ellis]

We are still receiving funding under the action plan.

[Kelly Collins]

That's a good thing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Godin. I have to stop you there.

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

It would not be the first time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Another committee member would like to ask a question before the end of this meeting.

[Brent St. Denis, Liberal, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would also like to thank the witnesses.

I have no problem with the fact that funding and programs to promote official languages come from the federal government, but are there links among the provinces, provincial agencies promoting bilingualism and the federal department?

Do we work together in any way with the provinces that have programs to promote two languages? We serve the same people.

[Karen Ellis]

Mr. Collins can confirm the fact that this issue falls under the responsibility of the Department of Canadian Heritage, which works together with all those other partners. Our priority is the public service and the institutions we referred to.

Mr. Collins, would you like to add something?

[Kelly Collins]

There are initiatives, such as the single- window offices in Manitoba, where both provincial and federal services are provided to provide better service to the linguistic minority. These are our partner initiatives, and they provide services. Apart from that, things happen more at the ministerial level than at our level.

[Karen Ellis]

I would add that, generally speaking, in areas other than employment equity, I often share my best practices with my provincial colleagues. The spirit of sharing allows people who are interested to improve the way they do things, but this does not happen in a formal way.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much.

I would like to thank the witnesses representing the three agencies for coming here this morning. Your points of view will be useful when we make our recommendations. We noted your passion. There are interesting learning tools to make French more accessible within Canada's legal system.

Thank you for being here.

The meeting is adjourned.