Official Languages Committee on Dec. 7th, 2010

Evidence of meeting #36 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 bilingual.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

2009-2010 Annual Report (Volume II) of the Commissioner of Official Languages

MPs speaking

Jean-Yves Laforest

Also speaking

Luc Portelance President, Canada Border Services Agency

Camille Therriault-Power Vice-President, Human Resources Branch, Canada Border Services Agency

Pierre Sabourin Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency

William Victor Baker Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

Daniel Sansfaçon Director, Policy, Research and Evaluation Division, National Crime Prevention Centre and Official Languages Co-champion, Department of Public Safety

Denis Desharnais Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety

Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety

Denis Desharnais

—to CBC, yes.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

In 12 months, has everyone managed to achieve those levels?

December 7th, 2010 / 10:15 a.m.

Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety

Denis Desharnais

No, because we just started. We're identifying the positions where people—

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

How many of them are there? Are there any?

Director General, Human Resources, Department of Public Safety

Denis Desharnais

For the moment, there are...

I'm looking for the figure.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

I have that figure.

In fact, 66.5% of the positions have a level higher than BBB.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

So more than 33% of positions don't.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

Yes.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Employees must not feel comfortable communicating in their department in the language of their choice.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

Perhaps, that depends on the person.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

The Commissioner of Official Languages didn't give you an A.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

We changed the profile to CBC, but that's not enough. Some now only have the BBB profile. So we have to offer training.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Why do you say you encourage people to do it rather than tell them they have to do it?

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

Yes.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Will the vocabulary change?

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

In my view, that's a requirement.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

It's a requirement! It's the law!

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

That's correct.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

We represent the government and we represent the country. There is an act.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

Absolutely, it's the law, but there is always room to encourage—

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

I can encourage my wife to stop going to the bingo hall, but she won't stop.

Incidentally, she doesn't go to the bingo hall. That's just an example.

Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety

William Victor Baker

When I use the word "encourage", I mean do everything necessary to be able to meet the requirements of the act.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

In your action plan, is there any reference to obligations or encouragements?

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

Thank you.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Is there any reference to obeying the Official Languages Act?