Official Languages Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Guy Jourdain]

First, I want to point out that the conference, that is to say the elected members, the ministers, has never considered the specific question of targets or objectives. However, that's definitely something that could be brought to its attention. There could be a discussion, a debate—

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Are you committing to that, Mr. Jourdain?

[Guy Jourdain]

Yes, I can make that commitment this morning. We will bring that to the attention of conference members.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Excellent. I'm not asking for anything more.

Mr. Cayen, do you think that's possible in Ontario?

[Daniel Cayen]

I can't speak on behalf of our Ministry of Civic Affairs and Immigration, but it's no doubt something Ontario would approve if it were brought to the conference's attention.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Cayen, If I understand correctly, you are at Ontario's office of Francophone Affairs.

[Daniel Cayen]

That's correct.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

So you have a right of review over what goes on at the ministry.

[Daniel Cayen]

We have a right of influence over the other departments, and for the board, this is an interesting notion to discuss with our Ministry of Civic Affairs and Immigration.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Are you telling me you're committing to that as well?

[Daniel Cayen]

I haven't made a firm commitment.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Are you prepared to do so? Are you prepared to discuss it?

[Daniel Cayen]

Yes, I would be prepared to discuss it with my colleagues at Civic Affairs and Immigration, who moreover do a lot of things. The department has created an advisory committee on francophone immigration. So our ministry is making efforts.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I'll come back to you in a minute, if I have any time.

Ms. Drapeau-Miles, I listened to your exchanges with my colleagues this morning and, if I understood correctly, we're talking about a target of one-third or of maintaining the balance. Does that translate into a specifically determined objective in a ministerial document, a government statement or some kind of administrative memorandum? Has that been made in writing somewhere?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

You're asking me whether there's some sort of figure?

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

No, I'm talking about the balance that's been mentioned.

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

Yes, that's in our population growth strategy.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Is there a figure somewhere?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I'll have to inquire.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Are you committing to inserting a figure somewhere?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I can't make a commitment for the government.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Give it a try.

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I can do the follow-up and determine whether such a figure is in a specific document and I can send the answer to the clerk. I can make a commitment in that respect.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

We'll await the result of your efforts.

I'll come back to Ontario, Mr. Cayen, with your permission.

How much time do I have left, Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You have 30 seconds left.