Steven Blaney at the Official Languages Committee

On October 6th, 2009. See this statement in context.

October 6th, 2009 / 9:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

Good morning and welcome to this 32^nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.

We would like to thank the committee clerk, the translators, the committee members and witnesses for coming here this morning. We are flexible, right?

This morning, pursuant to Standing Order 108, we will be holding our second meeting on the study of the impact of approval and disbursement delays on organizations receiving funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

This morning's meeting is oriented toward English-speaking communities in a minority position.

We have the pleasure to receive the president of the Quebec Community Groups Network, Mr. Robert Donnelly. He is accompanied by the director general, Madame Sylvia Martin-Laforge. Welcome to our committee again. We met last spring, and you're back again.

Also, we have Mr. Lawrence dePoe, executive director of Canadian Parents for French—Québec. As well, for the first time at our committee, we have the executive director of the Regional Association of West Quebecers, Madam Heather Stronach.

Welcome to you. Let's begin with Mr. Donnelly.

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