Evidence of meeting #6 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 report.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Just a moment. This is Mr. Godin's motion, and I believe it is in order. Normally, motions can be presented in both languages.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Godin moves:
That the Committee recommends that its Report on the Court Challenges Program be deemed presented to the House upon its adoption by the Committee, if the House already adjourned, and that the adoption of this motion be presented to the House.
(Motion agreed to)
9:25 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
For the record, Mr. Chairman, I would just like to point out that in the case of a motion of this type, translation is not normally required. Last week, Mr. Lemieux moved a motion, and we worked on it. I think that in this case, we are making things more difficult than need be. However, we do require that documents be in both languages.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Mr. Godin. We have noted your point.
Are there any comments about our plans?
Mr. Petit.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Can we discuss the list of witnesses, or is it final?
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
That is something I had forgotten to clarify, Mr. Petit. If the committee concurs in the list of proposed subjects, committee members have until next Thursday to submit their list of witnesses.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
That also applies to the issue of francophones at camp Borden. We have suggested witnesses for the study on the Action Plan for Official Languages. Does that relate to the issue of francophones in Borden, or some other issue?
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We should perhaps remind you, Mr. Petit, that what the steering committee suggested to committee members is that the witness list be submitted regarding the second phase of the study of the Action Plan for Official Languages.
So I am waiting for the lists of witnesses for the first meeting of our study of phase two of the Action Plan for Official Languages on December 13. Since the government will be presenting its phase two of the Action Plan for Official Languages in the spring, the committee feels it should be starting its study.
Mr. Bélanger.
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
I move that the steering committee report be adopted, Mr. Chairman.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Chairman, you said that we had until December 16 to table our witness lists. However, the date I see on this sheet is today.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It is true that that is what it says on the sheet. Witness lists for the study on the Action Plan for Official Languages must submitted today, for December 6.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We have a motion that the steering committee report be adopted. Are there any other questions or comments?
(Motion agreed to)
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
The report is adopted. Thank you.
That completes our review of future business. If you wish, we can now take a short break to give the witnesses time to come forward, and then we will hear the rest of the testimony on the Court Challenges Program.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
I will invite our witness to come to the table.
I am told that Mr. D'Andrea is on his way, Mr. Smith. If you need someone to help out when the witness arrives...
If you need some help to facilitate the entrance of the second witness, just give us a sign and we'll send someone to reach him at the main door.
9:40 a.m.
Vice-President, Greater Quebec Movement
Okay. He's still at one of the exits. The traffic is very bad on Highway 417.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It will be hard for him to be with us this morning, unfortunately, but we're glad you're with us.
Members, we welcome this morning Mr. Richard Smith of the Greater Quebec Movement.
Mr. Smith, you are part of the court challenges program study. You are more than welcome to be here this morning. I think you've expressed the will, so I will invite you to present your position and your point of view on these matters.
