Evidence of meeting #24 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 consultations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
Yes, but I do want to take the time, Mr. Coderre...
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
I only have five minutes. My time is precious, Mr. Lord, and you are here to answer my questions.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
Absolutely.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
So, is there any difference between the preliminary report and the final report?
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
Mr. Coderre, I think it is important that I present all the information. If the premise of your question includes some things with which I disagree, I hope the committee will allow me to make some corrections...
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
I understand that you are saying you disagree with my premise. Are the preliminary report and the final report the same?
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
But I think it is important to say why. That is part of the answer. Your premise puts a spin on your question. Mr. Coderre, if you will allow me to answer, we will have more time for discussion.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
The problem is that my time is precious and I only have five minutes. As a witness, you have to answer my questions.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
I am aware that your time is precious...
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chairman, I would ask that the witness answer my question, please.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Coderre, I would ask you to give the witness time to answer.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Very well. My question is as follows: what is the difference between the preliminary report and the final report?
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
To begin with, Mr. Coderre, I'm glad you mentioned that under the previous plan, agreements were signed and that had a good impact. With respect to my final report and the one that you have here, and between the first draft and the final report, there are differences. Absolutely. I think it is quite normal, when you prepare a report, whether it be the final draft that you sign, the final report. That is just normal practice.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
All right. Regarding the $1 billion from nowhere, does this mean that Minister Verner told you, when you met with her, to include it in the report, that it would be a good thing to do?
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
Once again, Mr. Coderre, you are including false elements in your questions and you are asking very leading questions. I find that unfortunate, since I am here at your invitation to help you in your work. The $1 billion did not come out of nowhere. It was not recommended by the minister. You are trying to create a perception that is not there. The minister and the government gave me a mandate that I was pleased to carry out and I did so. The people who participated were pleased to do so and there are a lot... I know that your time is precious.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
One moment, Mr. Coderre.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
Yes, it has everything to do with it, Mr. Coderre, because there are a lot of people who are very happy with the report.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
No, I'm sorry. When someone presents a report, everyone is happy to meet with him; we are very happy to see you. When there is a $1 billion involved and you write in your report that it is important to have cheques and balances, that means that the $1 billion has to come from somewhere. You have a 37-page report—you used the word “I” a lot, so I imagine you are the one who wrote it, even if you had help from the people at Canadian Heritage—and the last action plan had funding of between $810 and $850 million; it was called the Dion Plan at the time. A $1 billion is a lot of money. You want to protect taxpayers and we do not see anything in this report to justify the $1 billion.
So where did this $1 billion come from? If it does not come from Minister Verner, it comes from somewhere. Where does it come from?
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
It comes from me. I am the one who made the recommendation, Mr. Coderre. Perhaps you think that $1 billion is too much money. That is your choice, Mr. Coderre.
Special Advisor for the Consultations on Linguistic Duality and Official Languages, Government of Canada
What I'm saying is, as I've indicated in the report, that I took the liberty of making a number of recommendations. Those are my recommendations and that is why I used the first person singular. I did the work and drafted the recommendations. So, if you are wondering why I used the first person singular, it is because I wrote the text, and the $1 billion ...
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you to the witness.
I would simply point out to committee members that I am finding it a bit difficult to hear our witness's answers because he is constantly being interrupted, so we could perhaps strike a balance... I remind you that you can manage your time as you so wish. However, when the witness is speaking, I would invite you to listen to what he has to say.
Mr. Godin.