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.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
I just want to assure Ms. Glover that Ms. Crowder was there. She was there on stage for seven seconds, at which time she was asked to leave.
10:50 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to make a couple of comments to our witnesses.
I believe this is the last time they will be appearing before our Committee in advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For that reason, I think it is very important to say that we have two official languages in this country and that the International Olympic Committee is an organization that also has two official languages, namely French and English. Therefore, it is extremely important that the Olympic and Paralympic Games be bilingual.
Canada is a country with two official languages. The International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Games are games with two official languages, and I think it's very important to say, as your last time in front of our committee, that the games must be bilingual.
The success of the games will in large part depend, for the 25% of Canadians who are francophones, on whether or not these games are truly bilingual. The success of the games will also depend on whether or not, in the eyes of the international community, Canada is living up to not only its Olympic commitments, but to its own domestic commitments to have these two official languages enforced at the games.
I wish you all the best. I thank you for your many appearances in front of committee. I'm sure I reflect the wishes of all the members of this committee.
10:50 a.m.
Chair, Official Languages Advisory Committee, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
Thank you very much.
We totally agree with your comments, by the way.
10:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you once again. Mr. Chong had the last word.
We are all starting to have Olympic fever.
Thank you very much.
10:50 a.m.
Bloc
