Evidence of meeting #30 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 tests.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
In that case, you could move an amendment.
I understand that Mr. Godin would be prepared to add Mr. Emerson without striking out Ms. Guergis, but if that is not your intention, you could move an amendment to replace Ms....
Conservative
Denis Lebel Conservative Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I move that we call Mr. Emerson, as the government representative responsible for the Olympic Games, and Ms. Verner, for the portion concerning Heritage Canada. I would only invite those two individuals from the government.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
The motion also refers to the president of the COC. Do you want to strike his name? The motion as amended...
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Lebel's amendment seeks to invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister responsible for the Olympic Games, who is Mr. Emerson.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I would be prepared to support that amendment. Then, we could invite the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chair, point of order.
There are two steps. I'm prepared to accept to have Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner appear before us because we want to ensure that this matter is resolved. However, Mr. Lebel, with all due respect, you are talking to a former minister responsible for sports. That minister is responsible for everything related to...
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Coderre, I invite you to address your remarks to the Chair.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
The Minister for Sports ensures that everything related to sports in Canada is essential and important, even during the Olympic Games. If there is concern for the official languages, it is not solely due to the fact that the Games are international, but to take into consideration agreements that I reached with the Canadian Sports Federations which are represented and the agreement signed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the organizing committee for the Games.
Perhaps we are saying the same thing. I know that you want to protect someone. I fully agree with the motion mentioning Mr. Emerson, but be aware that this is a beginning and that, subsequent to this motion, there will be other more in-depth ones.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Coderre, that is not a point of order.
I would also remind you that it's important to address your remarks to the Chair in the future.
Conservative
Denis Lebel Conservative Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Chair, may I at least suggest that you tell Mr. Coderre what you need to tell him? If we want to criticize sports in Canada, that's one thing, but Mr. Godin's motion which is before the committee refers to the official languages at the Olympic Games. That is what the motion is about.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
If I understand correctly, the motion has changed. We agreed to call the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister responsible for the Olympic Games, Mr. Emerson before the committee. I want to check where we stand to make sure that we are all talking about the same motion. The motion seeks to invite Mr. Emerson and Ms. Verner. Is that correct?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Right. Are we also going to invite the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee? For the moment, we are keeping the three others. Mr. Lebel, this is not an amendment, it is a proposal seeking to call the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of International Trade responsible for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Games, as well as the Commissioner of Official Languages.
On that note, I will open the floor to other speakers.
Mr. Petit.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Thank you.
Mr. Godin, your motion reads as follows:
[...] to ensure that the Games will be taking place properly in both of Canada's official languages, in order to respect the rights of Canadians.
What is the real reason we are calling these witnesses? It is not to get an inventory of the place, but rather to ensure that the official languages will be respected. I'm trying to understand the intent of your motion. In French, you say “de façon à respecter les droits”. Should it not read “faire respecter” instead? Mr. Godin, this is important. I'm trying to follow you.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I'm not contradicting you: I'm simply shrugging. I want merely to ensure that the official languages are respected and that both languages will be used. If you have a better way to say this, I am open to suggestions.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
In English, you use another term. You say “in order to respect”.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Yes, we want to ensure that the official languages are respected.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
“Faire respecter” that's what you want? Okay. That's fine. I asked for an explanation and I got it.
Conservative
Conservative