Evidence of meeting #30 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 commissioner.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
I'm sorry, Ms. Zarac, your time is up. Thank you very much.
So it really is language of work that is a key aspect of your evaluation.
We are still in our third round and will now turn to Mr. Lauzon.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Thank you.
Good morning, Mr. Fraser and your team.
To start, it seems to me that you have lost some weight since I last met with you, four years ago. Are my observations correct?
9:50 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Either you have a very good sense of observation or you are trying to flatter me.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Is it because of the position you hold?
On a more serious note, I have read your report and I commend you on it. It is a good report. However, unlike other members of the committee, I think your report has some shortcomings. Our process probably does as well, but we have also experienced some success. In my view, we must highlight both the successes and the shortcomings.
Being a francophone who has experienced assimilation for the greater part of my life, I have a very good understanding of the challenges faced by a country as vast as Canada when there are two official languages, bilingualism, throughout the country.
I think we have made progress. Forty years ago we tried to create a bilingual country, and when you poll people throughout the country, you realize that 70% of Canadians support bilingualism. Forty years ago, that percentage was probably far lower. That is progress.
Now, our hearts and minds are more open to bilingualism. Even in the city where I live, Cornwall, there has been a lot of progress. In our city there was only one bilingual position at city hall for a number of years. At this point, there are 19. That is progress and it is thanks to the promotion of bilingualism.
For instance, at one point, there were perhaps only 10 members of the Cornwall Cultural Centre. At this point, there are 180 members thanks to the fact that bilingualism and French have been promoted.
You mentioned some progress in your report. My colleagues do not gain much encouragement from the drop in the number of complaints, but I know that in 2004-2005, there were approximately 600 complaints whereas in 2008-2009, there had been a 40% drop in that number. That is a significant drop.
In 2009-2010, there was an increase. Do you think that might be related to the way in which you draw up your reports?
9:55 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
With respect to the complaints, it is not due to a change in criteria. There have been changes in the assessment of report cards, but we continue to receive complaints for the same reasons as we did in the past.
It is true that there has been a global increase in the number of complaints, but a significant number of these complaints was related to one particular case, the CBEF station in Windsor. Eight hundred and seventy-eight complaints were related to an incident which mobilized the francophone community in Windsor. We did our investigation and our report. As a result of our investigation, we will be taking Radio-Canada to court in 2011.
As I stated earlier on, I would hesitate to consider complaints as an indicator of progress, because one never knows why people choose not to file complaints.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Lauzon, I'm sorry to have to interrupt. It breaks my heart, but what can I say, that is life.
We will now turn to Mr. Nadeau.
9:55 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Commissioner, right on page 27 we see the number of institutions, out of a total of 16, where francophones or anglophones feel free to use their preferred official language to communicate with their colleagues. Well, the result is 0 out of 16. That is the point I would like to address with you, at least to start.
Regarding the issue of whistleblowers, I'm wondering whether people would do so if it were done publicly. Some people have discussed the issue with me and I even addressed it at a press conference held after your presentation on the second part of your report this year. This is Canada, where there are two official languages and people are entitled to work in their preferred language. However, if you choose to work in French, people give you a certain look if a document needs to be translated, if the boss does not speak French, understands it very little or not at all. The document comes back poorly translated and you get criticized because it does not correspond to the original version. That is incomprehensible and absolutely unacceptable. You pointed that out.
You say, in your report, that if one of your recommendations is not carried out, you can initiate proceedings. Essentially, that is the situation. Have you considered the option of suing the Government of Canada for these violations, where employees do not work or write in their own language, mainly francophones, out of a fear of being reprimanded, when they would have every right to do so?
10 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
You are referring yourself to employees who have fears. One would imagine that if they fear reprisals then they will not lodge a complaint. It's difficult to take legal action in the absence of witnesses and evidence. That is why I'm very reticent to use number of complaints as an indicator.
These numbers indicate the number of institutions where 80% or more of francophone employees have stated that they are satisfied. That means that more than 20% of employees are dissatisfied, which is unacceptable. However, the advantage of these numbers is that they are based on an anonymous survey.
10 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
That employee survey no longer exists.
10 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Mr. Fraser, we got the message. I am referring to francophones who work in the federal public service and who do not feel comfortable using their own language, when it is their right. One needn't be surprised about this absolutely unacceptable situation. We all agree that Bill C-232, whose goal was to make it mandatory for Supreme Court judges to understand and speak French, is currently being demolished in the Senate by the Conservative Party that does not want to see it passed.
You may not be aware that we are currently working on a bill that affects the National Capital Commission. Opposition members have together succeeded in including a clause that would require candidates for the position of chair of the National Capital Commission to be functionally bilingual in order to be eligible. The Conservatives are prowling around us and trying to make us back down. They did not expect this to be passed. Do you understand the situation? They are afraid. This population centre is one of the most bilingual, if not the most bilingual in Canada, along with Montreal. They are doing all they can to turn back the clock on this bill at a time when it is being debated. This testifies to the lack of will on the part of the current government in this matter. There is not a shadow of a doubt about that.
You didn't mention embassies, but I would like to point out that on September 29 last, in a Canadian embassy in the Dominican Republic, a francophone citizen from here who was supposed to go to an interview in French was told that the interview would either be in English or it simply wouldn't take place. The Canadian embassy in Colombia is one of the most problematic organizations. If you're trying to obtain services in French from that embassy you will not succeed. And yet these are Canadian institutions. They are a reflection of Canada. Imagine the kind of impression that they make.
10 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
—and the United Kingdom where the same problems exist. I want you to know this, Commissioner.
Thank you.
10 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
I would just like to add a comment. To my knowledge we have not received any complaints with respect to the incidents that the member referred to. If there is an incident, and if it is related to a provision in the law and a specific date, then there are grounds to lodge a complaint.
10 a.m.
Conservative
10 a.m.
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
If individuals do not lodge complaints it is difficult for me to investigate.
10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It's like the story of the chicken and the egg.
We will move on with Mr. Généreux.
10 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning to you and your colleagues, Commissioner.
In your opening remarks this morning, you stated that your analysis of the responses to your recommendations from 117 federal institutions showed that 30% of them had not taken concrete measures to improve the situation.
Does that mean that 70% of them have implemented them?