Official Languages Committee on Nov. 5th, 2009

[Francine Bolduc]

Yes, I realize that. All the translation that was to be completed is up-to-date. What still has to be translated are the biographies. We will not receive them before mid-December, and only then will it be possible to start getting them translated. All the biographical information is constantly being updated, even as we speak, while athletes are training. Everything has been planned.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Since my time is running out, I want to address my final point, which is the legacy. What will that legacy be? Following the Games, will there be a legacy for Franco-British Columbians in terms of the French language in Western Canada and the Pacific region? Will something remain in terms of signage?

[Jacques Gauthier]

Our legacy will, first and foremost, be bilingual Games on a scale that no previous Olympic Games has been able to achieve. Particularly through the work of our Advisory Committee on Official Languages, we hope to pass on to other Games organizing committees, such as those preparing the London and Sotchi Games, an approach and a process in terms of bilingualism.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes, but I am talking about signage. Will it remain in place? Will services in French developed for residents remain in place?

[Jacques Gauthier]

I have no idea.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

You have no idea? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Nadeau.

I believe Ms. Glover would also like to--

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you.

I would like to come back to what Mr. D'Amours and Ms. Guay were talking about earlier.

Mr. D'Amours, thank you for your comment, because it reminded me that letters were placed on the desks yesterday. Ms. Guay, your invitation was delivered to you yesterday. A package that looks like this was placed on each desk. I am wondering whether your whip… In any case, I can give you my copy, because I want to--

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

We need a specific invitation to--

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

But that is your invitation, Ms. Guay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We all received the same thing.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

In addition, there is a name--

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

There is no time indicated—nothing.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Could I say something?

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

There is no time indicated, nothing.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Then speak to your whip. Yesterday, the Minister of State provided the packages. We all received them at our desks. There is a complete package and it includes the name of the person to contact if you are available and would like to participate.

Once again, it is important to understand that the government would like all members of Parliament to have an opportunity to participate.

Mr. D'Amours, thank you very much for saying that if things do not go as planned and there are complications, questions will be asked. I, personally, will want to have answers.

Mr. Gauthier, you talked about a small organization that is looking after that. I would like to receive a letter from that organization stating that all members of Parliament here in this room are invited to take part.

Furthermore, I have just received information about Ms. Crowder: she did not participate; she did not attend.

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

She was there.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

The Minister was there. I don't know why, but we will be following up on this. Anyway, we have just been told that she was supposed to be there but, at the last minute, realized she had something else to do. I would like to know why she was unable to attend. There are different stories circulating, but if she was there, why was she asked to leave? If she was there and that is what happened, someone from VANOC will have some explaining to do, because that is unacceptable.

Thank you.

[Jacques Gauthier]

I'll make a note to see what in fact has happened with that. I will also check with the committee to make sure that we will be able to confirm that all deputies and members of Parliament are invited to be present.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much.

The brochure that you distributed shows bilingual signage. Would it be possible to check whether that signage will remain in place following the Games? I believe that was the point of the question. In any case, I would like to hear the answer and share it with members of the Committee. I would like to receive confirmation of that from you.

Here it shows the Whistler Sliding Center, among other venues. I believe this signage will remain in place permanently, once the Games--

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

That was one of the goals.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Pardon me?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

One of the Government of Canada's goals was to ensure that it would remain in place.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

It has to do with the legacy. These are significant investments.