Official Languages Committee on May 25th, 2010

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Well, it differs, obviously, from how the Liberals imposed things, and in a number of ways, not the least of which is the level of funding that we've put in place, the consultations we've done prior to the implementation of the road map, and the ongoing consultations we're engaged in. We have new standards that we've put in place for those who are receiving money from the federal government, to ensure that the investment of our money has greater velocity. These standards are going to go I think a very long way to ensuring that the results of the broad goals of the road map will be seen well into the future.

I'm not sure if you want to add anything, Judith.

[Judith LaRocque]

There is also quite a

cultural component

to this road map, with

the Music Showcase

and also with the translation program, which is different from the original road map--

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

That is new money, is it not?

[Judith LaRocque]

Yes.

Also, I think we've reached a greater number of departments with this particular plan in the sense that we are now 15 departments that are actively funded by the road map and that are continuing to delve into this work and, we hope, establish good working relationships with the communities, really get to know them, and understand their needs.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Very good.

How many departments were covered under the action plan of the Liberal government?

[Judith LaRocque]

There were eight, and now we're up to 15.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Very good.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Ms. Glover.

We will now begin our second round, with Mr. Bélanger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Minister, did you say that the Commissioner of Official Languages did not know what he was talking about when he expressed support for the bill that deals with the language proficiency of judges to be appointed to the Supreme Court?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

We had a discussion about that in my office a week and a half ago. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss his report, which will be released to the public in about 45 minutes. We had a good discussion and he understood my viewpoint. He said imposing the legislation would cause a lot of problems in practice. Imagine what would happen if someone was a candidate for a position on the Supreme Court and came before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. A committee member might ask him questions and ask him to say a few words in French, only to decide that his proficiency just was not adequate. Legal excellence must take priority. Here we are talking about changing our Supreme Court by Americanizing it. That is not in Canada's interests.

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

Minister, I have to stop you there. I had the same conversation with the Commissioner of Official Languages. He talked about the way they would be appointed if Mr. Godin's bill passes. However, he is still in favour of this bill.

What you are doing is a little dishonest, because the Commissioner of Official Languages is in favour of the bill. He thinks this would be a way of introducing positive change within the Canadian federation. And if justices had to be bilingual at the time of their appointment, the way the parliamentary committee operated might have to be reviewed. You are attributing comments to him that he never made.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

It is wrong to believe there would be no negative consequences from this bill, because of the way it would be applied on the ground.

Mr. Fraser also stated quite clearly, in my discussions with him, that it is not as simple as that. This is an issue on which we cannot all agree.

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

You also say that the Quebec National Assembly--

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Rest assured that my position in that respect is that I want our country to respect its bilingual heritage and have respected institutions.

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

So, you are saying that everyone who is in favour of ensuring that Supreme Court justices can all work and express themselves in the country's two official languages is dividing the country.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

No.

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

Quite frankly, Minister, I am surprised by your comments this morning.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

I said that the Supreme Court has worked very well for more than 140 years without this bill.

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

But the country has worked--

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

When you were minister, you did not impose this kind of legislation, because your government had understood that it would not be in the best interests of Canada to divide Canadians on an issue like official languages.

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

You are making a big mistake, Minister. I believe your colleagues in the Senate are quite uncomfortable with this. Mr. Nolin, among others, seems to want to support the bill.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

There are more Liberals who do not support it.

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

The entire Quebec National Assembly and New Brunswick Legislature, including the Ministers of Justice representing the governments of New Brunswick and Quebec, have said that this bill should be supported. Quite frankly, Minister, you really should do your homework.

I would like to come back to the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality. The FCFA would like your government to again consider the creation of an Official Languages Secretariat at the Privy Council. Are you in favour of such an initiative, Minister?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

The choice--

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

I know that this is a decision to be made by the Prime Minister, but do you support that demand by the FCFA?