Official Languages Committee on May 5th, 2009

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Earlier, the minister said that he was proud to be able to speak the language of his choice in our country. I respect that. You may have noticed that I did not comment on that. However, the report says that 85% of employees feel free to use the official language of their choice in meetings held within their branch. What about the other 15% of people who do not have a choice?

[Michelle d'Auray]

This figure comes from an employee survey. So these are the answers employees gave to this question in 2005. We are currently completing the analysis of a survey that was conducted in 2008, so we will soon see whether there are changes in perception, because it is always a question of perception. We will see what the employees think about their ease and ability to express themselves in the language of their choice.

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

Where is the problem? It says that 90% of employees feel free to use the official language of their choice when they communicate with their supervisor. It says that all supervisors are bilingual. So how can there be any problem communicating in the language of one's choice if all the supervisors are bilingual? Under the law, deputy ministers do not have to be bilingual, but assistant deputy ministers must be. But it says that 10% of employees do not feel free to use the official language of their choice when they communicate with their supervisor.

[Michelle d'Auray]

This survey was intended to determine peoples' impression. So it is just that, their impression. Does it reflect the reality? That is another question.

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

May we have a copy of that survey and find out who it was conducted by? For example, I would like to know whether National Defence was canvassed as part of that survey. Sixty per cent of people at National Defence do not feel free to speak in the official language of their choice.

[Michelle d'Auray]

Yes, the survey is posted on the website of the Treasury Board. All the data from this survey has been made public.

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

Is it possible to see all the data on the questions asked and find out who exactly answered? For example, are there any questions about the Prime Minister's airplane, which comes from DND, unilingual English-language movie theatres, and so forth? Is everything included in that survey?

[Michelle d'Auray]

You will see. The questions on official languages in this survey are posted on the website, as well as the answers, broken down by department. These questions deal with how employees perceive their ability to communicate, receive material, and so forth. These questions deal primarily with employee perception.

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

We will summon witnesses from DND. Francophones are not even able to obtain documents in their mother tongue when they receive training in Borden, whether it be for a trade or for other things.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Lise Zarac]

Thank you, Mr. Godin. Your time is up.

I now turn the floor over to Mr. Chong.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to make a comment as opposed to asking a question of the witnesses.

All ministers of the crown in the federal cabinet are responsible for upholding the Official Languages Act, but in the opinion of Liberal members of this committee, only bilingual citizens need apply. I think this is an insult to the millions of Canadians, many of whom are immigrants and recently arrived in this country, who are struggling to make a life here and who don't speak the other official language.

What Liberal members on this committee are saying is that these Canadians are not full citizens, that they need not apply or aspire to positions in the federal cabinet or to senior positions in federal institutions. I think the message being conveyed is that they are second-class citizens.

Therefore, Madam Chair, I would ask that you provide an opportunity for Liberal members on this committee to withdraw those remarks.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Lise Zarac]

I believe this is your conclusion, but I don't think it's the opinion of the committee, so I will not ask the member to withdraw anything that has been said. I think everybody had the opportunity today to say what they wanted, and that is what the committee is supposed to do.

Do you have another question?

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

No, Madam Chair, it was just simply a comment. I wanted to afford them the opportunity to withdraw those remarks, because I think they're highly offensive.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Lise Zarac]

That's your opinion, Mr. Chong.

Go ahead, Mr. Lemieux.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I just want to follow up on Mr. Chong's comments that the Liberal Party does not have a good track record when it comes to bilingualism. Their MP, Mr. Trudeau, in fact insulted unilingual anglophones and unilingual francophones before the last election when he called parents who do not teach their children a second language “lazy”. This was in all front page news. It was highly insulting, and it is not the first time the Liberal Party has embarrassed itself on the policy of official languages.

Just to follow up on what Mr. Chong was saying today, the Liberal Party has shown its colours today. Members have shown their misguided understanding of official languages, and they should be embarrassed by their performance today.

Merci beaucoup.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Lise Zarac]

I would like to thank the witnesses for their patience and for having come before us to answer questions today. I would like to point out that the purpose of this meeting was to ensure that the new duties that have been transferred to Treasury Board are properly assumed by the Treasury Board.

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.