Official Languages Committee on Nov. 19th, 2009

[Yves Duguay]

That doesn't happen to my knowledge, madam. In our organization, we have a very good culture. That's moreover what attracted me to CATSA. I mentioned that the tone is set by the CEO and that goes down to the lowest level. I remember no incident of that kind.

However, as I told Mr. Petit, there is a kind of social contract when you occupy a position. Within a certain period of time, you have to be able to meet the language requirements of the position. I know there are people who are still working without having met them. Are there any consequences? We've done follow-up to enable the person to succeed. It's always done in a very positive way.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

All right. You're going to rely more on the person's good will, without any written contract, and you're going to ensure that person has the will to do it.

[Yves Duguay]

Precisely. That's part of our performance evaluation system. There are nevertheless quite strong encouragements.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you. I've come to the end of the list of committee members who want to question our witness.

Mr. Gravelle.

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Chairman, I simply have one or two other questions.

Earlier you said that 38 out of 89 airports are designated bilingual. Would it be possible to have a list of those airports with the number of bilingual employees at each and to know how many of them work there at the same time?

[Yves Duguay]

Yes, we could provide you with that information.

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Gravelle.

I'd like to thank you for appearing before our committee. I hope that this is the start of a constructive dialogue between your agency and the committee. This morning, you've laid the foundation for a better understanding. We have a clearer understanding of who you are and how you operate. We also encourage you to consider the committee's comments and suggestions, particularly with regard to your contractors. The experience of passengers isn't necessarily shaped through contact with the agency's 500 members, but rather by contact with your employees, those who work at the screening posts. You can rely on the committee's support to ensure an active offer of bilingual service. Thank you for being here.

Ms. Guay, do you have a brief question?

[Monique Guay]

My question is for you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Very well.

Then we will thank our witness.

Yes?

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

Mr. Chairman, I received the committee's agenda on November 17. We were to hear from someone from Broadcasting and Services in French of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. I received a new notice—

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You're talking about the notice of meeting?

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

Yes. It was changed yesterday. We only heard from Mr. Duguay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes.

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

I simply want to know why no one came. We were supposed to have two witnesses.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That's possible. Can you show it to Ms. Dumas? We're going to adjourn the meeting and study that.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

She's right; I read it too.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

All right, I understand. That's the name of the study, Ms. Guay. This morning, we heard from CATSA as part of the study of the broadcasting of the Games. We'll be hearing from representatives of the airports at future meetings.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Next Tuesday, we'll be discussing the report on delivery of the cheques.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

That's correct. Thank you.

(The committee adjourned.)