Official Languages Committee on June 5th, 2008

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do indeed have a brief question.

I was wondering when your study on post-secondary education and bilingualism would be completed.

[Graham Fraser]

We sent out the questionnaire this week. I signed the letters to all the various heads of institutions. We're hoping the information will be collected in the fall and the report will be finished by the end of the year.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I am sorry, but the questions must be on the subject on our agenda, namely the Olympics.

Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chairman, my question is straightforward.

Given the current situation TQS is in, which is not a very good one, should the Official Languages Commissioner not suggest that VANCO ask the International Olympic Committee to reassess the way the Olympic Games will be broadcast? There was an agreement between RDS and Radio-Canada with regard to coverage of Formula 1 racing. For now, the Société Radio-Canada is not open to any new approaches because it has lost the fight anyhow. If Mr. Godin does not know how broadcasting works, I can give him a lesson, and he will understand clearly, but this is a business matter.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Forget it. You attacked me earlier and called me a baby; now it is my turn.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Godin has a point of order.

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

It is not up to Mr. Coderre to decide whether my point of order is admissible or not.

The Canada Games were held in Bathurst when the Liberals were in power, and we had to fight with them to make sure they were held in French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That is not a point of order, Mr. Godin.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

That is not a point of order and that is completely untrue. I myself made the announcements.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Please ask your question quickly, Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Don't you think that the Official Languages Commissioner should ask, given the current situation TQS is in, that the broadcast will indeed be accessible to everyone? As it now stands, that is not a sure thing.

[Graham Fraser]

I am hesitant to speak to the future of a television network, since the issue far exceeds my mandate. All I know is that TQS is currently before the CRTC. We are aware of the fragility of the situation, but we have no other information. We will take the situation into account when the time is right.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

I understand your situation, but since you are aware of the concept of access, can I at least expect that you will study the situation? If this requires intervention on your part, you could at least raise the matter with VANCO and make it aware of the concerns which this committee has expressed.

[Graham Fraser]

Mr. Chairman, I believe that it would indeed be very important for the government to act if TQS is not in a position to provide the service it committed to under contract.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, gentlemen.

This concludes our meeting. Thank you for being here. We will meet on Tuesday to discuss the follow-up to the report on the collaboration agreements.

Thank you very much, Mr. Commissioner.

The meeting is adjourned.