Official Languages Committee on March 31st, 2009

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

So you cannot give us any details at this point.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

I have nothing in particular to point out for the time being, but we are working very closely with VANOC and the Commissioner of Official Languages.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Thank you.

Will the committee be informed of these issues once you have completed your analysis?

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

Certainly. We will follow up with the clerk of the committee.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Thank you.

VANOC signed agreements with partners, including Canadian Heritage, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique, the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, the governments of Quebec, New Brunswick, as well as the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie.

Has VANOC followed up on the commissioner's recommendation about these partnerships? There was to be cooperation with these partners. Was that done?

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

As regards the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie, VANOC would be in a better position to answer that question. However, I can say that there is ongoing dialogue between VANOC, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique and the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue. The new advisory committee that was just created and that will meet shortly will strengthen cooperation among the various stakeholders, to ensure that everything is in place so that the games respect Canada's linguistic duality.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Thank you.

A commitment was made to closely monitor federal institutions, namely the RCMP, Citizenship and Immigration, the Border Services Agency, the Canada Tourism Commission, and Air Canada. Committee members have heard horror stories regarding the Border Services Agency.

What steps have been taken? Canada promotes itself as a country with two official languages. We will be hosting representatives from countries that do not have two official languages, but where people speak the two, three or four languages taught in schools. What has been done with regard to this commitment?

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

I thank you for that question.

A collaboration was established. There are a number of stakeholders involved in the official languages, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Treasury Board's Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Department of Canadian Heritage. These three stakeholders have joined forces to undertake information and awareness- raising events throughout all federal institutions, so that they can be fully aware of their respective obligations. You are right in saying that Canada must show a bilingual face.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Are there criteria that have to be met?

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

The Official Languages Act contains obligations for all departments, particularly with regard to language of service. Through this tour of federal institutions, we are trying to understand and respond to the concerns, and the mechanisms that can be implemented, including a sharing of best practices and review of departments' legal obligations with regard to services.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Ms. Zarac.

We will move on to Ms. Guay.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to continue in the same vein as my colleague Richard Nadeau.

Yesterday, I made a statement in the House on the event that occurred in February. We know full well that there was absolutely no intention to have any French representation, because the two texts that were translated into French by francophones, at the last minute, were supposed to be presented only in English. That is extremely insulting. The Olympic Games are getting off to a bad start.

When you talk about the presence of French, I ask myself the following question: Where and how will it be present? Will both languages be treated equally? I raised that point earlier with my colleague. Will all services really be provided in French?

I have read the recommendations. The Commissioner of Official Languages has asked that VANOC immediately hire at least one more full-time employee to deal with official languages. Has that been done? The event is quickly approaching, as you know. The games will be held in 2010.

I am very concerned and am sure that, if the Department of Canadian Heritage and other VANOC stakeholders do not do their work as expected, you will be getting an earful for a long time after the Olympic Games. Francophones—as we know, we are a French-speaking country—live across Canada, and some will feel quite hurt and upset because they will not have had any services in their language.

Once again, we hear that the government is not responsible if people in certain areas cannot watch the Olympic Games on television in French. It seems unfortunate that the government not expend more efforts to allow people to watch the Olympic Games in their own language. Some francophones might not speak English. Whereas the games will be broadcast in English across Canada, francophones will again be penalized.

I would like you to answer my questions, if possible.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

Yes, if I might, I would begin with the recommendation that was made by the Commissioner of Official Languages regarding the hiring of an additional employee. That has been done. VANOC immediately responded to that recommendation.

As for the show that we were talking about, I believe that it has allowed us to understand that there are different perspectives about what constitutes programming that is representative of francophone culture. As I indicated, there were components, a choreography...

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

That was translated into French at the last minute.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

It was completely choreographed.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Completely choreographed does not mean it was presented in French. Not at all.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

I just mean that it enabled us to see that there were different perspectives and to tighten the criteria under the contribution agreement to be signed for the 2010 Cultural Olympics regarding what constitutes a performance of—

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

I would point out, Ms. Mounier, that French is not choreography; it is a language. That means that people can take part and give their performances in French and not present a choreography.

I can tell you that this is unacceptable and will remain unacceptable for francophones. An extraordinary effort must be made, not only for the opening and closing of the games, but throughout them. There must be events organized so that francophones can participate to the same extent as anglophones. There will definitely be negative repercussions if that does not happen.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

With respect to broadcasting, as I mentioned earlier, the consortium made a presentation to the committee of deputy ministers responsible for the games and announced that the consortium also included French television networks such as Réseau des sports, Réseau Info-Sports and TQS. APTN is also a member of the consortium.

The consortium has negotiated agreements for distribution, broadcasting and satellite service to have the signal provided free of charge during the entire period and during the games so that francophones across Canada have equal access. Negotiations are still underway with other broadcasters and satellite service distributors to ensure that coverage is as complete as possible.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Ms. Guay.

I will just mention that when we finish this part of the meeting, we will take a short break, not only to welcome other witnesses, but also to make some adjustments to our communication system.

Mr. Petit.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you very much.

Good morning, Ms. Mounier and Mr. Robinson. I will begin with a short preamble.

My comment is addressed to you, Ms. Mounier. The questions that you have been asked all deal with how the television system will broadcast the French or English channel to the various provinces in Canada. In Quebec, for example, francophones are in the majority. There is a large English-speaking community in Montreal, but half of anglophones in Quebec live outside Montreal. There is no problem in Montreal. I think that everyone will receive the signal by cable or other means, through CTV. I think they are the ones broadcasting the games.

On the North Shore and even in the Gaspé region, there are villages that are mainly, but not entirely anglophone. The residents are bilingual, but English is their first language. English has been one of the languages used in Quebec since before Confederation. Because anglophones in those areas are not very numerous, they do not necessarily receive English cable and satellite signals.

Has CTV taken any steps to deal with that issue?

Mr. D'Amours made a very good point earlier. He said that there were small groups of francophones in his province that will not receive the signal. In my province, on the other hand, there are places where anglophone groups may not receive the signal. So I am wondering whether all anglophones in Quebec will receive the English signal or only those in urban areas. There are approximately 14,000 anglophones in Quebec City. They will receive the signal without any problem, as will anglophones in Montreal and Sherbrooke. But the situation is different in rural areas. Can you please answer my question on this?

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

I do not have any specific answer for you. I can only say that CTVglobemedia is determined to ensure that coverage across Canada is as complete as possible and that it is fair for francophones and anglophones. However, guaranteeing 100% coverage everywhere may not be a commitment that the company can make. If I understand correctly, you have invited CTV representatives to appear before the committee or you intend—

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

No, I have not yet invited anyone.

[Marie-Geneviève Mounier]

—or the committee intends to do so. I believe that they will be able to answer that question. When they made their presentation to the committee of deputy ministers, their intention was definitely to provide the broadest coverage possible and reach all Canadians. The network will also be using new technologies and Internet sites. In addition, it is looking at all the new technologies in order to find ways to increase coverage and access to the games across Canada.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Do I have any time left?