Evidence of meeting #34 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.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
My question is for you, Mr. Paquet, and perhaps also for Ms. Power. I'm not sure.
Did you know that the Bloc Québécois tabled a bill which would force your agencies, when they operate in Quebec, to function in one language only? Have you thought about how this law would be enforced? Perhaps Mr. Paquet...
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
This has happened for the second time. The matter involved the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. But there was never any talk about unilingualism.
Mr. Petit, if you have anything to say, please stick to the facts or hold your peace. Your ignorance is detracting from...
Bloc
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
You will not raise points of order to control our discussion. You will have your five minutes later. You can use your time any way you wish.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Yes, but Mr. Chairman, if falsehoods are uttered, someone has to object. That should be your job, but if you don't do it, I will. Indeed, in this case, members of Parliament are being attacked and the true intent of the bill is being distorted. In fact, this has happened twice already.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Sir, that is not a point of order.
Mr. Petit, I just want to reassure you that you will not lose any of your time. That was not a point of order.
If you wish to raise a point, you can do so during your five minutes. You can discuss your points any way you wish. This is a political arena, but the fact remains that you did not raise a point of order.
Mr. Petit.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Thank you.
Mr. Paquet, you heard the issue which was just raised.
Are you aware of this bill, which would apply to your organization and its Quebec operations? I am talking about the application of the French Language Charter, which we call Bill 101. This bill would apply to every employee of your agency working in Quebec.
Since you work in the area of training, I was wondering whether you had considered this possibility.
Director, Learning Delivery, Canada Border Services Agency
Sir, I do not have an opinion on that. That issue is just not part of my mandate. Consequently, I cannot respond to that type of question.
Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I think I can answer that. As an agency of the Public Service of Canada, we are subject to the laws of the Government of Canada. Therefore, if the bill is adopted, we would have to comply. But for now, we are subject to the Official Languages Act and to the policies of the Treasury Board, which we apply.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Ms. Power, I imagine that you are in the business of hiring people. Generally speaking, you target bilingual regions.
Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Yes, bilingual regions.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
In New Brunswick, based on the information we regularly receive from Mr. Godin and Mr. D'Amours, there is a bilingual population. Is that correct?
Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
How do you designate Quebec? Is it considered to be a bilingual or unilingual province, based on your criteria?
Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
We consider Quebec to be bilingual.
October 20th, 2009 / 9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Are all of Quebec's border entry points bilingual, or are some unilingual?
Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I would have to send you the relevant information. Of course, many of the positions in our border offices are designated bilingual. That is the case at our ports of entry and also in our airports. I will look into the matter and provide you with that information.
Conservative