Evidence of meeting #39 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 vancouver.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Do you have all the bilingual volunteers you need? Are you still missing some?
Director, Official Languages, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
At this point, we are satisfied with the number of bilingual volunteers, because we have looked at just about all the offers and we know exactly how many we need. So, we are satisfied with the number. Of course, if people were to withdraw for various reasons, we would replace them with other bilingual people.
Conservative
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you very much.
I have several questions. I will try to go through them quickly.
I would like to begin on a humorous note, Mr. Gauthier. It's very nice of you to paint the signs, but they also have to be installed. If you need assistance in that area, do let us know.
In terms of services in both languages, one situation in particular concerns me. At peak periods, services may be available, but what happens when flights are coming into Toronto at 2, 3, 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning, for example? I'm worried: I'm still concerned that, both in Toronto and Vancouver, services may not be available in both languages, as well as at the actual venues, and that there won't be enough staff to provide services outside of peak hours. Perhaps you could give your answers at the end.
I have another question about health care. We know that the H1N1 flu virus is hitting people across the globe. Have specific or special steps been taken to handle a potential crisis?
Ms. Glover, I want to thank you for you comments. However, I would like to receive my invitation before December 11. That is important, because no one has received one so far, and the torch relay will be coming through our area on the 11th. It is important to ensure that the invitation arrives, not the day before, but well in advance, so that we can add it to our schedule and participate in events at the times they are to take place.
Indeed, on page 8 of his report, the Commissioner of Official Languages says: “Unfortunately, there has been no change in the low bilingual capacity at senior levels from the time when information was collected for the initial study. None of the [...]”--
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
Excuse me, but could you speak a little louder? You are reading recommendation--
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I'm sorry.
I'll start again: “Unfortunately, there has been no change in the low bilingual capacity at senior levels from the time when information was collected for the initial study. None of the ten members of the VANOC Executive Committee is fluent in French, although some of them are taking classes. There are only a few bilingual member on VANOC's Board of Directors.”
That, too, is a concern. Perhaps you could answer this: has there been any improvement in that respect? I will give you a chance to answer.
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
First of all, you referred to service outside of peak hours. I can assure you that we took that into account in our planning.
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
We are well aware of the fact that there will be flights coming in at all hours of the day and night. Rest assured that we considered that reality.
If I can repeat what I said earlier, we have no reason to doubt that federal authorities at the Vancouver and Toronto airports will cooperate, as they have said they will, and that the appropriate services will be in place.
We must remain vigilant. We still have time ahead of us to monitor the implementation process. I can assure you that this is on our own list of concerns.
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
I will let Donna take that question, as I am not really aware of what is being done in that area.
Executive Vice-President, Workforce and Sustainability, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
We definitely have a plan around H1N1. We had already started executing that plan for our torch team that is travelling across this country and going into small communities, particularly northern communities. We made the vaccine available to them before they entered those communities, and we will be moving forward with that plan for the rest of the staff.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I have one final question. You said earlier that you have enough volunteers, and so forth. But what kind of accommodation is available for them? That worries me, because there are not a lot of hotels there. Available space is reserved for the athletes and the people travelling with them. What accommodation do you have in place for them?
Director, Official Languages, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
The majority of the volunteers we have recruited already have accommodation and have confirmed that. They are staying in the area with friends, acquaintances, etc. There are a lot of people in British Columbia who move around quite a bit. As a result, they know people all over the place.
Also, there are volunteers who are a little more specialized. In Whistler, for example, we offered a program whereby families billet people, and residents in the area have opened their doors to provide accommodation for these bilingual volunteers.
Director, Official Languages, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
Yes, absolutely.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
That's great.
In closing, I just want to say that I am very proud that my niece will be carrying the Olympic Torch. She will actually be doing that in the region represented by my friends Ms. Boucher and Mr. Petit.
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
What community will she be in?
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I don't remember in exactly which community, but she will be carrying the Olympic Torch.
