Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Petit is not pleased that Belgium was mentioned.
Mr. Chair, I would like to talk about the events surrounding the incident with the Acadian II which recently occurred in the Magdalen Islands. I don't want to interfere in an investigation by the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board or the RCMP, but I have heard about a rather intolerable situation. Some families tried to obtain services in their language, be it only a summary of the situation regarding their son. Not only did they not receive the service they requested because they were only able to speak to an answering machine, but they were unable to obtain services in French.
I think that we should use the situation and try to find out what really happened. Asking the Canadian Coast Guard to come and speak with us and give us an overview of bilingualism within that organization is consistent with the role of the Standing Committee on Official Languages. This is a territorial situation because we are talking about the Halifax office. This incident concerns sealers, but there are also fishermen telling us that quite often they have to wait or go through three or four other boats, because someone speaks English.
I think that it would be entirely appropriate for our committee to call those in charge at the Canadian Coast Guard here to find out what happened. I think it is a little sad for people to always be told that someone from Quebec city will call. There are no second-class citizens. In my opinion, it is entirely appropriate to ask that organization to report to us on what is happening with regard to the official languages.
Thank you.