Official Languages Committee on Nov. 29th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Good morning to you all. Welcome to this meeting of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, our sixth meeting since the start of the session.

It appears that our witnesses this morning are caught in traffic. They had, however, clearly expressed their interest in participating. We have heard from them a number of times this week. I suggest we reverse the order of the items on the agenda so that we can begin by discussing the committee's future business. If the witnesses do show up, we will then amend our proceedings.

If you agree, we will begin with our future business. The clerk will hand out the minutes of yesterday's meeting. Our agenda this morning will refer to the minutes of the steering committee, which held its second meeting yesterday.

As you can see, next week, on Tuesday...

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Are we in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

At the moment, we are not in camera.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

But don't we usually discuss future business in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I would like to welcome our witness, Mr. Smith.

We will continue discussing our future business.

Has your colleague arrived yet?

[Richard Smith, Vice-President, Greater Quebec Movement]

There was an incident on Highway 417.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We have some work to do, so you can take the time to have a coffee and to relax.

[Richard Smith]

Okay, thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We'll be with you shortly.

To answer my colleague's question, I am suggesting we discuss future business. Unless it is not the will of the committee, it is...

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

The question is whether discussions about future business are usually held in camera.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

No.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Very well. That is the question I was asking.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So, if we look at the calendar, today we will be hearing from witnesses on the Court Challenges Program, and discussing future business. Next Tuesday, as I indicated previously, our analyst, Jean-Rodrigue Paré, will provide us with the draft report on the Court Challenges Program. That will be on Tuesday, December 4.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Monday, December 3.

[Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Committee Researcher]

The committee will review it on the 4^th, but it will be distributed on the 3^rd.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you. You will have the evening to read it, Mr. Paré.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Indeed, at that meeting, we will have to make as much progress as possible in order to, if it is the will of the committee, table the report before the House rises for the holidays. Next Thursday, we will first hear from the officials of the military base in Borden with regard to the francophone situation there, and then Minister Josée Verner will talk about the Court Challenges Program and state of affairs at her department. Then, on the 11^th, the analyst should have gathered the comments made on the 4^th, which will allow us, if it is the will of the committee, to adopt the report. On Thursday, the 13^th, we could begin a more in-depth study of the Action Plan for Official Languages.

I would like to inform you that the steering committee has recommended that we take special measures to ensure that the report on the Court Challenges Program can be tabled before we adjourn for the holidays.

We can take two measures. The first would be to hold a special meeting on December 12, in order to adopt the report, if the work wasn't completed on the 11. I will begin by explaining the second option, and the clerk can then clarify it.

Once the House has adjourned, a committee must inform the House that it wishes to table a report and that the House deem it as such, even though it has adjourned. The committee, therefore, would first have to inform the House that it wishes to table its report. Once that is done, the report is sent and deemed adopted.

Mr. Clerk, would you like to add anything to that? You can say it in English.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Graeme Truelove]

I just took the liberty of drafting what could be used as a motion, if that's the route the committee wishes to take—that is, to present a report to the House asking that upon adoption of the court challenges report, it be deemed presented to the House, if the House has already adjourned.

I can read it, if that's what you'd like.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We need someone to move the motion.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I would like some clarification. I have not been following the committee's work, but I just want to be sure that as chair, you will be reporting whatever the committee passes. Unless we hear differently, the House is planning to sit until the 14th. You have to give 48 hours' notice to table the report.

Why do you think you will not be able to get this done on time?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The steering committee wants to ensure that the report can be tabled before the Christmas break.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I see. The House is supposed to sit until the 14. What are you expecting? You seem to be speaking as though there were some special procedure. Perhaps I have failed to understand something.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

The problem is that the report has not yet been drafted.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Yes, but you will be getting it.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

We are having witnesses until December 12. That means that the report cannot be drafted by the 14. It will be ready over the Christmas break, perhaps in January.