Official Languages Committee on Nov. 5th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Great, we will be following that closely. Thank you.

We will move now to Mr. Nadeau.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

On page 10 of the report entitled “Vancouver 2010, A Golden Opportunity”, it says: “[...] VANOC indicates that unanticipated communications will be consecutively broadcasted within a 12-hour period in the second language”—I repeat, a 12-hour period—“and urgent communications, within a 6-hour period.”

First of all, that violates people's rights to be informed at all times, both Francophones and Anglophones. Furthermore, that is not consistent with the Multiparty Agreement that was signed.

Can you tell us what has been done in that regard?

[Donna Wilson]

Our communications team has taken action to improve on that performance, and it looks like there will be, at maximum, a six-hour turnaround if that's required in an emergency situation.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

That is not right. The Commissioner of Official Languages says that this is inadequate, and I say it is unfair. I am sure you understand that French and English are equal. Information in one of the two should not be interpreted only 6 or 12 hours later, as VANOC sees fit. Imagine the outcry if the information were available in French and the plan was to have it interpreted into English 12 or 6 hours later, in the context of a potential emergency. You now say it will be within a 6-hour period.

Are you going to take steps to ensure that it will be available in both languages at the same time? You say that your team includes bilingual staff. As a matter of course or in emergencies, will they be in a position to provide information at the same time to all Canadian citizens, to Quebeckers who may be there, to the people of British Columbia and people across the globe, whatever their country of origin?

[Francine Bolduc]

You are referring to documents, communications and press releases. We are currently looking at this. At the present time, issuing the two versions simultaneously is not a problem. Of course, during the Games, there will be a lot more pressure, and that is the reason why it was developed that way. However, the communications team is currently reviewing the situation to ensure that some way can be found—and it is possible, because we have already developed it—to provide the two versions--

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

--simultaneously.

[Francine Bolduc]

Yes, simultaneously. That is the communications side of it.

At the venues, however, all announcements will be made in both languages simultaneously. They are already pre-recorded for emergency situations.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes, I understand. There are some areas that I am less concerned about, but there are others I am more concerned about—particularly when I read that, for certain emergencies, the plan is to make the announcement in French of an abnormal event some six hours later. Right there, that is completely unacceptable.

The other aspect I would like to discuss relates to support for volunteers. We want to have bilingual volunteers because services have to be provided in French. We agree that the majority language in British Columbia is English. What kind of support will be available? Will we lose volunteers because there is not enough accommodation available? Will they be offered transportation between the place where they are staying and the Olympic facilities? Everybody will not necessarily bring a car for purposes of transportation. On October 14, I was told there was a serious problem in terms of finding accommodation for the 25,000 volunteers who will be going to British Columbia. Some are already there, but the vast majority are coming from somewhere else.

[Donna Wilson]

Is your question about accommodations for volunteers?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes, among other things, I am talking about support. That includes everything, and particularly accommodation and transportation.

[Donna Wilson]

We've been working through the final stages of our transportation plan and our accommodations plan. We have accommodations available for those we need to create them for. We are still seeking volunteers in the Sea-to-Sky area close to Whistler to help us with accommodations there, but we've put in place transportation in order to be able to move volunteers from Vancouver to Whistler if we need to.

We have a huge number of volunteers coming from the local area and those who are coming from across Canada do have accommodations.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you very much, Ms. Wilson.

I would like to touch on another aspect--

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Mr. Nadeau.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

--tourism--

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Nadeau--

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

--particularly BC Tourism and Vancouver Tourism. What is the current situation in that regard?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We will come back to this later, Mr. Nadeau. Your time is up.

We are now going to begin the fourth round with Ms. O'Neill-Gordon.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I offer a warm welcome to all of you for joining us this morning. We certainly realize that you have a big task. You have every reason to be proud of all the work you've done so far.

I'm also very happy to hear you say that our government has been very cooperative and helpful, because we certainly want to work together to make this a fantastic event in our country.

I'm wondering how you can make sure the motels will be broadcasting events in French as well.

[Jacques Gauthier]

As I said previously, I'm more than confident that with the 850 hours just in French during the games—it's about 16 hours a day during all the games across Canada—that will be enough to promote the games and broadcast the games in French.

We received a few presentations by CTV and RDS. It's all done. The program is done. I'm very confident.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

Will Canada's francophone communities be reflected in all their diversity in the cultural celebrations, taking part before, during, and after the games?

[Francine Bolduc]

Yes. You're talking about the celebrations and all the cultural components? Absolutely.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

Do you have a good relationship with the different federal institutions responsible for the realization of these Olympic Games in Vancouver?

[Donna Wilson]

Yes, we definitely have. We meet with them regularly and it's going to be very successful. The relationships are very helpful.

[Jacques Gauthier]

To all of us, by the way.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

Yes, I realize that.

Thank you.