Official Languages Committee on April 28th, 2009

[Guy Matte]

I understand, you can ask that question.

[Jacques Gauthier]

We also hope it does turn out to be the case. Over the coming weeks, we will be meeting with the President of the IOC, specifically to share our expectations and our obligations in the area of bilingualism, as well as to raise his awareness of the importance of French being spoken.

[Guy Matte]

You cannot forget there are two parties. The celebrations fall under a VANOC and the part that the IOC is responsible for fall under Mr. Jacques Rogge. As a francophone, he too has the responsibility to speak French, at least I would hope so.

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

We need to, however, make sure of this.

[Jacques Gauthier]

Yes.

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

We know what has occurred in the past and are rightfully concerned about the future.

[Jacques Gauthier]

That is what we'll do.

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

There are a number of committees which overlap, and that is worrisome to me. How do you communicate amongst yourselves? It must be rather difficult, because you have varying areas of responsibility. You cannot interact only once every two months.

[Jacques Gauthier]

As I mentioned earlier, all individuals involved in the francophonie or bilingualism—

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

You're showing us that, but we did not receive it.

[Jacques Gauthier]

No, but I will circulate it. You must remember that those particular organizations work directly with us on the committee.

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

We would like a copy of the document so we too can understand how things work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Guay, I would like to simply remind members that, normally, all documents must be tabled in both official languages. You may hand the document over to the clerk. We will have it translated and distributed to committee members in both official languages.

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

It would help us understand how things work.

Do you have a committee responsible for handling disputes? If there were problems involving the official languages, is there somewhere people could file their complaint? Will it be quite obvious at the Olympics?

[Jacques Gauthier]

The Commissioner of Official Languages has already indicated to us that his office would serve as a point of contact to resolve the occasional problem and we will do the same.

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

Very well. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Ms. Guay.

That actually completes our round of questions, because we need to discuss a motion after hearing from our witnesses. Allow me to thank them on your behalf and on mine.

Thank you for your presence here today. I thank you once again for having accepted our invitation on such short notice. You must have sensed the interest that committee members have in this wonderful opportunity to showcase Canada, specifically through the Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies. I thank you for having shed light this morning on a number of things through your responses and for having brought forward new information on, among other things, Robert Lepage, the francophone media, and your efforts. We urge you to continue your efforts and we'll be following the matter closely, without a doubt. Thank you very much.

We will be taking a few minutes' break to give our witnesses time to leave the room.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We will now move to the motion introduced by Ms. Guay.

Ms. Guay, you may introduce your motion.

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

This is a motion I prepared following our meeting with the Commissioner Official Languages.

Mr. Chair, you will recall that I had mentioned to you that our committee would probably appreciate having additional reports or even receiving letters when there are problems concerning the Olympic Games. The committee would like the Commissioner to report to us, but not just in September; we would like more frequent reports.

This is why I introduce this motion today. Because the motion deals with the subject at hand, 48 hours' notice is not required. It reads as follows:

That the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages send to the Official Languages Committee, a regular update to be provided, at minimum, every three months, on the status of the francization of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a whole, including the VANOC Advisory Committee on Official Languages, the broadcasting of the Games, and the compliance with the multi-party agreement clauses on official languages.

I'd like to inform you that my colleague Mr. Galipeau has asked for a small amendment, which he can speak to. I am in favour of this amendment if it is limited to what he mentioned to me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That is what we will see.

Mr. Galipeau, you are first on my list of speakers.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First of all, I would like to extend my regards to our colleague Monique Guay.

I would like us to come to a consensus and maybe even pass this motion.

However, there is one word I would like to define, it is the word “francization” in the third line of the motion. Rather than use this word, I would like us to talk about respect for and the promotion of linguistic duality. I believe this is more inclusive and achieves the same goal.

Thank you.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Yes, perfect.

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

I fully agree.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

How would that motion read as amended?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

In English?