Evidence of meeting #11 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was departments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:55 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
There are several. We could certainly submit a list to you.
9:55 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
We are being consulted on health. We are working with Heritage Canada as far as culture is concerned. We are also consulted on health care and immigration. Of course, regarding immigration, we have a committee which is jointly managed by the community and by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This department established performance indicators for a 15-year period. When the performance indicators for the Roadmap were established, an interim target was also set, for which we were consulted, but our suggestions were not taken into account. However, this was the department's own committee.
9:55 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
These things sometimes happen.
9:55 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
It's an aberration because people don't talk to each other. But that can easily be rectified. Indeed, we hope that during the day of dialogue, which will bring together 15 departments and 40 community organizations... I know that the same type of meeting is being planned with our anglophone counterparts.
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
As far as we know, it will be in May.
10 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
For us, as well, it's in May. The meetings are two days apart.
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
We hope that we will be able to better coordinate our work.
10 a.m.
President, Quebec Community Groups Network
For our part, it's even more difficult to coordinate between departments. We have received positive feedback regarding immigration, but we can't talk to them. That privilege belongs to the Government of Quebec. Things are also going well in health. We have had no indication. One of the problems we will talk about is the fact that departments always need a special reason to work with us, in Quebec. We have to think outside the box, that is, to find new ways of doing things. We are convinced that if there was more communication between departments, this would help us find solutions. For now, its hit-and-miss, one thing at a time. Everyone is passing the buck, no one wants to move too quickly. We are normally referred to Heritage Canada.
10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Madam Guay.
Ms. Boucher, you have the floor.
April 22nd, 2010 / 10 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Good morning, everyone. It's very nice to have you here. I would just like to make an aside. As you know, I used to be the Parliamentary Secretary for Official languages. No meeting is ever a waste of time. We gather all kinds of points of view, which we bring to the attention of our ministers. I think these meetings are important. They are important because we are elected representatives, we are part of the government, regardless of which party we belong to. Sure, we have different points of view, but we are here to help you, not to stand in your way.
What I find somewhat unfortunate, and this is something we all experience to some extent, is the lack of communication between departments, something you have just mentioned. Please know that, when you speak to us, we give that information directly to the responsible minister. When we hear things we don't like, that is also passed on. We are quite frank. I know Ms. Glover, who is quite frank, as well. We don't beat around the bush. We don't know if they are always listening, but at least the message is getting across. You can be sure of that. When we implement measures, sometimes they don't succeed, but sometimes they do. We certainly hope we can help you.
We often hear about what goes wrong, but since the Roadmap was brought in, has anything gone well?
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Absolutely, some things have gone well. I repeat, Ms. Glover is very accessible, and we know that she will intervene, if necessary, in certain cases. We appreciate her work.
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
When we talk about consultation, we are referring to existing mechanisms, to the obligation of departments to consult with us, which often does not happen.
10 a.m.
Conservative
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
The problem is not access to Ms. Glover, or her support.
10 a.m.
Conservative
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
I want to make sure that—
10 a.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Ms. Glover is there. She is our ally. We know this and appreciate it.
What was your last question?
10 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I wanted to know whether there had been any progress under the Roadmap.
