Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome.
I'm going to speak English so that we can celebrate that we have two official languages. I have just a comment and then I have a question.
My comment would be that I know what the investigations are about, and I know that you do as well. I appreciate that when we're in a setting such as this, and we only have five minutes, it's very hard to do an investigation. I see here today that it appears that some of our MPs are trying to do investigations and aren't quite letting you finish your responses. So I would hope that you don't leave this place thinking we have a full picture, because we're not going to have a full picture here--and the MPs realize that as well.
I do want to comment that I have total respect for the Commissioner of Official Languages. I find it odd to hear other MPs who are criticizing the investigation that was done, because he has the benefit of a team of investigators; he has the benefit of being able to hear your answers, hear the answers of any of the witnesses involved. I place great faith in his office, and I'm sure the investigation that was done by his office was thorough and was not interrupted every two seconds, in the same way as we see happening here today. I hope we continue to respect his authority.
I just want to comment that any time we have a complaint with regard to official languages, it is under his authority that we must seek redress. So I would suggest to Monsieur D'Amours--and I don't think this is the first time I've suggested this--that if he believes he has a complaint, to do the right thing, to make a complaint.
I live in the city of Winnipeg. Since you brought up the massage...many, many months ago I purposely went through our airport and spoke French every single time. There has never been a single offer of a massage, nor has there been a single moment where I didn't get service in French within 30 to 60 seconds. So I would encourage Mr. D'Amours to stop complaining. If it's really taken seriously, use the redress that we have, use the powers that we have in place, and don't mock them.
Those are my comments.
I do have a question. We received a document from the Vancouver Airport Authority that highlights the CBSA's plans to offer services to francophones. Some of the things include recurring training for all front-line staff, pocket cards with phonetic translations, mousepads with phonetic translations. I think these are wonderful initiatives, which we haven't heard about. Perhaps you could address those a little bit.
I'd also like to know why we don't implement those post the Olympics and Paralympics as well. I think they would serve us well in a continued effort.