Evidence of meeting #34 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 languages.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
What area of New Brunswick will you go to in January?
9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
We're meeting them in Fredericton.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
That's not too bad. If you were going up to the Acadian peninsula, you might have been in for lots of snow or something like that.
I wish you could go during a better month, but anyway, you'll be welcome, I'm sure.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Ms. O'Neill-Gordon. We'll stay tuned.
We'll now go to Mr. Gravelle and complete the second round.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I can't congratulate you. If I had gone home with a report card full of Es and Ds when I was at school, I wouldn't have been very popular. I can assure you of that.
9:35 a.m.
A voice
You would have been punished.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
I really would have been punished.
In my opinion, the fact that you think that bilingualism should be introduced voluntarily represents a major step backwards. I attended a bilingual school. When someone goes to a bilingual school, he's attending an English school. It's not a French school or a bilingual school. I hope that will never be a voluntary decision.
When did you last meet with the Commissioner of Official Languages in person to discuss official languages?
9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
When did I meet Mr. Fraser?
--last summer--
It was in the summer, when he came to the meeting of agency heads. In fact, it wasn't a face-to-face meeting.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Don't you think that might be a good idea to go and meet him personally so he can give you specific instructions on how to improve the situation?
9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
We could do that. We worked very closely, Mr. Fraser and I, when I was president of the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions. Yes, absolutely, we can meet.
Moreover, we are going to analyze the results because we ourselves were surprised. We're not pleased with the mark either.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
It seems that some people are happy, but I'm not. Es are not encouraging.
From a practical standpoint, do you find the commissioner's work useful?
9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
Yes, I believe so.
I think the commissioner does very useful work that sends very useful messages about how we work.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
How could the commissioner make your life easier? What else could he do to help you?
November 30th, 2010 / 9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
I don't think he can do anything more, no. I think he's doing his job. He's an officer of Parliament who is doing a good job.
Perhaps I'd like to go back over what you said about volunteer work. I think that may be misinterpreted. I entirely agree with the act. What I said at the School of Public Service was that we had to go beyond that and go with something a little more fundamental than simply B or C levels, that it had to be more felt. I want to be clear on that point. It's not one or the other; we have to go further.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
To go further, you think it would be better if the effort were voluntary.
9:35 a.m.
Librarian and Archivist, Library and Archives Canada
No, the act is right. What I'm saying is that, even with the act, we have to go further personally. It's also a matter of people, individuals, who have to get involved in this linguistic duality. That was my message.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Mr. Gravelle.
We've just completed the second round. That ultimately completes the meeting.
Mr. Bélanger has a question. If I have committee members' consent, we'll proceed diligently
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Monsieur Melanson, you said in response to a question by Madam O'Neill-Gordon that you have not reported to the heritage department vis-à-vis what you've done with regard to section 41.
9:40 a.m.
Senior Director General, Office of the Senior Director General - Corporate Resourcing Branch, Library and Archives Canada
To my knowledge that is the case, but I'll check that when I get back, and I can bring that back to the committee.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Please do, because it is my understanding that Canadian Heritage has the responsibility government-wide to make sure that particular section of the law--the law itself--is respected. Furthermore, your institution falls within the Department of Canadian Heritage, on top of that.
So if you don't have to report to them, do they ask anybody to report? That's the next question. It's not a question I can ask of you, but what you said is very significant.
You're the champion?
9:40 a.m.
Senior Director General, Office of the Senior Director General - Corporate Resourcing Branch, Library and Archives Canada
I will be the champion within a couple of months.