Evidence of meeting #33 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 bilingual.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
I think they understood it was an error. We apologized and hope it will not recur: certainly not in the same context. I think the case is closed.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
They were satisfied with the information you provided and the action you took?
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
To my knowledge yes. We sent out letters and communicated with them, and I believe it was fine. We have not heard anything since.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Ms. Zarac. You have one minute left. That's it? Very well.
This morning we have Mr. Vincent here as a member of our committee.
Mr. Vincent, the floor is yours.
October 8th, 2009 / 9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome.
We've been told that train crew are bilingual and have some training.
To begin, do you have a retirement program?
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Yes. What do you mean by that?
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Staff is entitled to work until the age of 65.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
I understand, but are people entitled to retirement after, for instance, 25 or 30 years of service? Is there a given number of years?
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Our retirement plan is designed in the following way: a person who is 55 and has accumulated 85 points, which is a combination of age and years of service, may choose to take full retirement or continue to work.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
There are fewer now.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
You should almost be able say that 100% of the people working for you are bilingual.
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Mr. Vincent, to be realistic, I'm 58 years old, I started working in 1972, I could keep working another seven years. That is not what I will be doing.
9:35 a.m.
An hon. member
Oh! No.
9:35 a.m.
Some hon. members
Ah ah!
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
That is the reality you have to understand. Those who started working at the age of 20 or 21 in 1972 like myself are still working for us and still have a ways to go. If I were to stay until the age of 65, I would be there until 2015—I haven't made the calculation.
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
As was said, obviously, with time, things improve. However, people are still working and we treat them as we do other employees. We've given them the opportunity to learn the second official language. However, it is not an obligation.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
On August 16, the day of the event, did VIA Rail send out an internal message that such an incident had occurred, that no one had been able to provide instructions in French? Were memos sent out on that very day to inform everyone of the issue, at all levels within your organization? On this same day, was there, on the one hand, a press release, and on the other hand an internal letter or memo sent to company staff to advise them that if people are bilingual, they must communicate with passengers both in English and in French?
9:35 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Not on the same day, because the incident took place on August 16 in the evening.