Evidence of meeting #17 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 brunswick.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We can proceed with a fourth round if certain committee members so wish. First we'll ensure that all members can question the witnesses.
Liberal
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Mr. Chairman, I see that Mr. Bélanger probably has the same concern as I do. I don't think we should convene the steering committee when we receive witnesses. I spoke with the chair before the sitting. That won't be done. I want to hear the witnesses as well. Our study has already been quite shortened. That's why I spoke with the chair. I completely agree with you, Mr. Bélanger, that we should hear the witnesses.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We can discuss this in the steering committee. For the moment, we will continue with a fourth round and we won't shorten our discussions. I believe I have the committee's consent to proceed with a fourth round.
Mr. Bélanger, do you want to start the fourth round?
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If we have a fourth round, there's no problem in that, but I have a question for you, Mr. Chairman. When do you intend to hold the steering committee meeting?
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
We have rules and we try to follow them. If we do a full round, it will be a full round.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
In fact, Mr. Bélanger, we can do a full round if committee members so wish. I believe some committee members would like to speak and have not had the opportunity to question the witnesses.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Chairman, I respect the fact that members may wish to speak, but I believe we initially established a procedural rule that we should comply with, didn't we?
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If we begin a fourth round, we're going to do it. So there won't be any steering committee meeting. I'm sorry, but I have something else on my schedule at 11:15. So I won't be able to stay.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
All right, let's go for the fourth round.
We'll start with Mr. Weston. Mr. Weston, go ahead, please.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
I want to thank our witnesses for being here today.
A lot of parliamentarians come here intending to build a cathedral in a country like Canada, and from time to time, as in any job, it seems to me we only manage to move bricks from one place to another. I believe the same is true in all fields.
Mr. Jourdain, you informed us that there was a conference or meeting in my home town, Vancouver. It was a short, simple sentence, but when you said it, it seemed to me it was a big deal. It was just before the Olympic and Paralympic Games, one year before the start of the G8 and G20 meetings here in Canada. One century from now, when everyone sees that Canada has top-level liberties in the world, economic leadership, peace and stability, I believe that, in your work, you'll be able to consider building a cathedral.
If we let you dream a little for the next 50 years, what is your vision for the Canada that relies on the freedoms, economy and bilingualism that we have here in Canada? What is your vision or your dream of a Canada where we can increase the vitality of the official languages in Quebec, New Brunswick and British Columbia?
Director Executive, Francophone Affairs Secretariat, Government of Manitoba, Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
I'll try to answer your question from an immigration perspective.
What I see personally, and I also believe I'm speaking on behalf of the conference, is that francophone immigration is breathing new impetus into our francophone minority communities. So this is an opportunity to renew ourselves and to ensure the survival of the French fact across the country. This reinforces the linguistic duality aspect that is a fundamental value in Canada.
Executive Director, Population Support, Population Growth Secretariat, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Government of New Brunswick
From an immigration and integration standpoint, in my vision and that of New Brunswick, I believe that, whether it be tomorrow or in 20 years, we will be living in a society where we celebrate our differences, our cultural wealth and our diversity. Everybody will be able to take part in that celebration.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Thank you. Nothing more to add?
Then thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Mr. Weston.
Mr. Bélanger, does someone from your party wish to speak?
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you.
One aspect of the immigration issue in the official language communities has not really been explored here, and that's the language training offered to newcomers. I think that will prove to be very important and complex. I would like to hear the comments of our witnesses on that subject. The evidence we've heard to date clearly indicates that francophone newcomers want to integrate but also want to learn English. However, most of our programs aren't designed to respond to that. In some case, francophone newcomers want to take language training in French and English, which isn't really in our field, from what I know about language training programs.
Is this an issue that the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie has considered, Mr. Jourdain?
Director Executive, Francophone Affairs Secretariat, Government of Manitoba, Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
No, it hasn't considered this issue in particular. However, I would like to briefly describe the situation of refugees from francophone countries. As you know, many refugees come from former French colonies in Africa. These are often people with little education who, even though they come from francophone countries, don't speak French. So they have to be offered language training in French, and they need training in English in order to succeed in the labour market. So we're talking about dual language training. The needs are enormous.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Based on your experience, is that how you operate in Manitoba?
Director Executive, Francophone Affairs Secretariat, Government of Manitoba, Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
Yes.