Official Languages Committee on June 10th, 2010

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I did not wish to speak.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

No? Your name is on my list.

In that case, we will move on to Mr. Weston.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I would like to thank my colleague Mr. Murphy. I think that it requires a certain degree of courage to take part in the work of a committee when one is not a regular member. Regardless, there is a big difference between the courts and this situation. By definition, the courts hear from opposing parties. I believe that the purpose of the Standing Committee on Official Languages is to make Canada more bilingual.

Mr. Chairman, can I ask you to read Ms. Boucher's amendment once more?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Weston, it basically is the same motion as the one presented by Mr. D'Amours, except that the expression "complaint form" is replaced by "form for both positive and negative comments".

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Personally, I would rather see the expression "as well as a card of congratulations" included, but I don't think I can propose an amendment now, right? There is already one before us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We usually deal with one amendment at a time. Sometimes a subamendment can be proposed, but it does not go further than that. Otherwise, we would end up with a layer cake, if I can put it that way. In theory, and sometimes in practice, you can propose a subamendment, if you wish.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I don't know if Mr. D'Amours would find that more acceptable.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You can also agree on the wording with the mover of the amendment. It's as you wish.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

If it is acceptable, I would propose adding the words “as well as a congratulations form” after the word “complaint” and before the words “for services provided”. I sincerely hope that this will be judged acceptable by all of my colleagues on the committee. Because in my opinion, that will achieve the objective.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I would like to make a comment, sir.

First of all, the clerk reminds me that a subamendment must be specific to the amendment, in this case the words “positive as well as negative comments”. Currently, you may therefore move a subamendment if the amendment affects those words. You may also wait until the debate on the amendment has finished and move a new amendment. It is up to you.

Mr. Weston, did you understand me?

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I think it is a phraseology problem. Is that the correct term?

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

I believe so.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I am looking at Mr. D'Amours. I am not sure if he is happy with what I am proposing.

I could make changes to it so that it will be acceptable, technically speaking. I would like to hear my colleagues' comments.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

The clerk informs me that what you have moved would be a new amendment and not a subamendment.

All right?

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I know. Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Fine.

We will now go to Ms. Glover.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to raise two points. I believe I have a subamendment to suggest. I would like to read section 25 of the Official Languages Act, because Mr. Murphy does not seem to understand that Jazz does indeed have an obligation. When Minister Baird appeared before us, he himself repeated that the obligations of those providing services on behalf of Air Canada must be respected. The same is true for a bill dealing with this issue. Section 25 stipulates the following regarding third party services:

25. Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that, where services are provided or made available by another person or organization on its behalf, any member of the public in Canada or elsewhere can communicate with and obtain those services from that person or organization in either official language in any case where those services, if provided by the institution, would be required under this part to be provided in either official language.

Section 25 of the act clearly indicates that Jazz also has responsibilities. As a committee, we ensure that they bear them. However, we must intervene with Air Canada because that is the company that must ensure that Jazz is meeting its obligations.

I move the subamendment. We spoke a lot about the Commissioner of Official Languages. I am prepared to accept all of the testimonies that I have heard, for example that it be addressed to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, even though I have provided information that clearly demonstrates that there is no obligation there in that regard.

I would like to add the words “and to Air Canada” after “the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages”. As I have already stated, this would allow Air Canada to take steps to deal with both complaints and positive comments. It is in fact Air Canada that manages the employees, and is responsible for bringing them back into line or congratulating them.

I hope my colleagues will support me. Once again, if you wish to discuss my subamendment with me, I would encourage you to share your point of view.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Glover, I have discussed the issue with my clerk. It would be better to put forward your proposal as an amendment and not as a subamendment, given that it does not deal with the same part of Mr. D'Amours's motion.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Ah, I understand.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Boucher's amendment affects the words “positive as well as negative comments”. It is not in the same place, and moreover, it is another concept.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

All right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

It does not deal with the kinds of comments, but the person to whom they would be addressed. I would therefore propose that you set that aside and perhaps move another amendment to the motion later.

For the moment, we must vote on the amendment. Ms. Boucher is on my list.

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

I simply wanted to speak to Ms. Glover's subamendment or amendment concerning Air Canada that we have just mentioned. I just wanted to say that I thought that it was brilliant, but I don't know if we are to discuss it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We are ready to call the question on your amendment, Ms. Boucher.

I will read Mr. D'Amours' motion as it would read including the amendment:

That the Standing Committee on Official Languages invite Air Canada to once again place a prescribed complaint and congratulation form for services in both official languages in the front seat pocket of all its aircraft with prepaid postage and addressed to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I would like a recorded vote.