Official Languages Committee on Dec. 6th, 2007

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, I unfortunately wouldn't have enough time to explain my way of interpreting the dishonesty that can come from the Bloc Québécois.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Would you need a dictionary?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I don't think we should venture into that kind of discussion. It's neither appropriate nor respectful. Some facts nevertheless remain.

When we presented our Speech from the Throne, even the Leader of the Liberal Party hailed our initiative on the next phase in the renewal of the Action Plan for Official Languages.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Coming back to assimilation, do you need a dictionary to know what that means?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Gravel, please—

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would appreciate our colleague remaining polite.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'm offering you a dictionary, madam.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I don't think the member's attitude is appropriate. We're here to discuss ideas.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I asked a question and I want an answer.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm going to answer you.

With respect to the linguistic situation, our government has made a commitment to strengthen these communities across the country. It has announced additional budgets. It has taken initiatives such as the Strategic Plan to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities, which is particularly aimed at Francophone communities across the country. This is a good way to support the linguistic vitality of these communities, since this plan was expected. These communities experienced the same reality as we do in terms—

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Chair, my time is running out. I asked the minister a question; I asked her what assimilation was and I have yet to receive an answer.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Pardon me, Mr. Gravel. We'd have to know—

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

You asked me for a long answer—

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Within the time allotted to me, Minister.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm telling you about our commitment.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

What's assimilation?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Pardon me—

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm telling you about our commitment to strengthen the various linguistic communities across the country.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Chair, I find that pathetic. I asked a question and I haven't obtained an answer.

What is assimilation?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'm responding to a concern stated by the Bloc Québécois member, who wanted to know how we could help the various communities across the country become stronger and ensure their survival, and that's what I'm explaining.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Gravel, you have one minute left.

I ask you to try to manage your time with our witness.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

My question takes five seconds, and the rest of the time is for the answer.

What is assimilation, Minister?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'm going to continue to explain to the member what we can do to help reinforce the various linguistic communities across the country.

[Raymond Gravel, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

That's not the question I asked, madam.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

These are positive and constructive measures that our government has taken to ensure that the communities are able to live, grow and face the future in their mother tongue, in particular, and also in both official languages.