Evidence of meeting #12 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vanoc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Mr. Lemieux.
Ms. Zarac, you can do the honours and start the second and final round.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In my view, realistic expectations in a country with two official languages would be to offer services in both official languages. That would be the foundation upon which to build. There is an expression in English: to walk the talk. I think VANOC has had some difficulty in walking the talk recently. If you look at the events held on February 12, the 2009 Olympic Tour, they really missed the boat when it came to the francophone reality.
A lot of work remains to be done. And there is little time to do it in. I do not know if you find that worrisome. You mentioned the advisory committee. Does your organization sit on that committee?
10:40 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
No. However, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique does.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Fine.
Do you have concerns? Have you conveyed them through the advisory committee? Do you believe this committee will help address the current issues?
March 31st, 2009 / 10:40 a.m.
Director of Communications, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
The Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue was mandated by the FCFA and the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique to look after contacts, specifically with VANOC and the consortium, and to arrange for the development of a francophone presence.
In addition, the foundation sits on the advisory committee. This is clearly an important tool, but certainly not the only one. Do we have concerns? I think that is the reason why we are here this morning. We want to express them.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
A little earlier, you referred to one wish you had, a media campaign. I mentioned to the other witness just now that I believed it was a very important event, not only because of its international nature, but because it is a model for others. Our athletes excel in various disciplines and serve as role models to Canadians, young Canadians. I see that as very important.
You referred to a media campaign which should also be free of charge and offered to all Canadians. Can you tell us a little more about that? It seems equally important to me.
10:40 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Yes, indeed, I think that a media campaign to get people enthusiastic does much more than that. It contributes significantly to identity, of course. It contributes to the development of a feeling of belonging among our youth and helps to develop and strengthen the Canadian identity.
That is the reason why we are asking for the broadcasting to begin six months before the Games, not just one month before.
10:40 a.m.
Director of Communications, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
I would like to add that, as part of my job as director of communications, I watch a number of television stations, A-Channel, CTV, Radio-Canada, TVA and others.
Every time I see one of those spots about the 2010 Olympic Games called On the Road to the Olympics, I think it is fun. That said, it is unfortunate that francophones outside Quebec cannot take part.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
We are missing the boat on that. Would that not also contribute to the success of the Olympics?
10:40 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Certainly.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Ms. Zarac. We were referring to linguistic duality throughout Canada, not just to the reality in Quebec.
10:40 a.m.
Bloc
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It is important to reflect the linguistic reality all across the country.
10:40 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I find what has been going on from the beginning to be appalling, and I told VANOC so. I have major concerns for the future. I do not think that they will be able to change the signage around the skating rink in nine months. You are a non-profit organization but they are paid to take care of things.
I would like to quote from the first paragraph of rule 24 of the Olympic Charter:
English and French are the two official languages of the IOC.
Why should we have to fight for this? Why do we always have to be an afterthought? Why should francophones in New Brunswick and across Canada have to beg for their rightful place? It is shocking and insulting. I hope you will continue to apply pressure for things to improve.
Have you also called upon francophone groups in Quebec? There are many francophone artists in Quebec who can put on shows. It would be very interesting for them. We have a lot of culture, as you know.
Have you called on groups who could support you further so that French can really be a part of the Olympic Games?
10:45 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
I agree with you that it is quite incredible that we constantly have to fight for such a basic issue as this one.
10:45 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Exactly, The FCFA works in close cooperation with the Fondation canadienne pour le dialogue des cultures, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique and the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française. The advisory committee has just received its mandate and we will be watching it closely. We expect it to take quick action, because time is running out.
I will let Serge answer the second part of your question.
10:45 a.m.
Director of Communications, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Your question brings me back to the Cultural Olympiad currently underway and that will also take place in 2010. We know we have many allies in Quebec. We have a number of contacts within Quebec civil society. The Fédération culturelle canadienne-française and the FCFA have already begun discussing the 2009 Cultural Olympiad with VANOC and seeing what exactly happened. It seems the process to take part in this tour is very complex. Provincial and territorial governments are involved and so is the Canada Council for the Arts.
Clearly, there is room for discussion and we would be quite open to looking into this matter with the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française. We also have to see how we can cooperate with VANOC and with government to streamline the process so that francophone artists can apply for the Cultural Olympiad as well.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
There are a number of artists in New Brunswick and all over the country.
As a federation, if things do not move quickly enough, can you denounce that? Will you? There are other groups; you are not alone. In Quebec you are going to be hearing a great deal about this. If the changes that have been suggested are not made for the 2010 Olympic Games, are you going to denounce that?
10:45 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Certainly. As I mentioned, the FCFA and its partners continue to monitor the progress made by VANOC on this point. We expect them to take concrete action.
10:45 a.m.
Director General, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Absolutely.