Official Languages Committee on April 28th, 2009

[Guy Matte]

I thought I was safe!

I think the people who planned the one-year Olympic countdown show had a different concept of linguistic duality.

What was important to them was showing francophone culture. They thought that showcasing some dancers and choreographers would be enough. We told them that linguistic duality includes the word "linguistic" and that French has to be heard.

How can you tell if a dance troupe is francophone? You can't. And yet, we were told that francophone culture would be represented.

They can certainly include all the culture they want, but the most important thing for us is to hear French. Otherwise, the Official Languages Act will not be respected and they will make fools of themselves.

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

I think you realize, Mr. Chair, why I said that we have good people in Orleans. We have just had a demonstration of that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Excellent. Just between you and me, my sister lives there.

Mr. Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Decision-makers are responsible for their decisions. I'm having a hard time accepting that they didn't know that someone was should have spoken French so it could be heard. Token gestures are not enough.

I'm disappointed, and I find this unacceptable. Mr. Gauthier, you have been working on this project for two years now, and you have been sitting on a committee for eight months. Everyone is talking. In my opinion, this blunder was almost intentional. It was unfortunate and unacceptable.

Mr. Matte, you say that once things get started, there is no turning back. I'm going to go back once again to the Canada Games that were held in northeastern New Brunswick. I had to rise in the House of Commons and ask the Minister of Canadian Heritage to speak to CBC/Radio-Canada so that the closing ceremonies would be broadcast during the day. They changed the broadcasting schedule, but it was unfortunate that we had to get to that point.

Mr. Gauthier, should the CRTC get involved to ensure that someone somewhere broadcasts the Games to the 4% of the population who currently do not have access? At one point, people were saying that things were going well because 86% of the population would have access to the Games, and that very few people would not have access. That percentage is now 96%, and now very few people do not have access. We're at the end of the sausage, but we want that last little piece.

[Jacques Gauthier]

Last week, Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin made a comment that bears repeating. He told the committee that we were very critical on a number of issues, but that, in actual fact, we should focus more on the progress made and turn our attention to a shorter list of items.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I agree with you, it's a very short list. All Canadians should be able to watch the Games in either language. It's a short list but we want it.

[Jacques Gauthier]

With regard to broadcasting, it is true that before we were saying 86% of the population would have access and today that number is much higher.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

You say it's a short list, I'm talking about 100%. We will not be satisfied until all Canadians can watch the Olympic Games in both official languages.

[Jacques Gauthier]

Mr. Frappier will tell you himself that we cannot force people to get television. If all you have are rabbit ears—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I'm not talking only about people who want to watch the Games. Let's not start talking about people who don't want to see them. This is a democratic country. If I don't want to watch the Games, that's my business. What I'm saying is that, in Canada, people who want to watch the Games are entitled to have access.

[Jacques Gauthier]

I understand what you are saying but—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Do you agree with me?

[Jacques Gauthier]

—I can't comment on that, I'm not—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Should the CRTC get involved?

[Jacques Gauthier]

I don't know, I'm not familiar enough with the issue.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

The CRTC is the one that is granting the licences.

[Jacques Gauthier]

I can't give you an answer.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Have you tried to reach agreements with VIA Rail, Air Canada or Greyhound to transport the volunteers throughout the country? Travelling from Acadia to Vancouver is expensive. Perhaps some bilingual people would like to volunteer and help you out. Have you reached an agreement with VIA Rail so that they would add a few cars for this occasion? It wouldn't be a big deal for them.

[Francine Bolduc]

No agreement has been reached so far. I know that all the applicants, throughout the country, have already confirmed that they will make their own way to the Games and cover their lodgings during the event.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We're talking about people who are willing to go, but you are short of staff. This is exactly what I'm talking about.

[Francine Bolduc]

To date, we have already received more than 11,000 applications. We think that's enough to staff all the positions that need to be filled.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

So you are telling us that there are no longer any problems with volunteers.

[Francine Bolduc]

In terms of numbers, there are no more problems. The next challenge will be ensuring that these people are placed in positions where they will be the most useful.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

You will also have to make sure that they are bilingual enough.

[Francine Bolduc]

Yes. We will ensure that there is a good level of bilingualism and that these people can communicate in both languages. That's our mandate.