Official Languages Committee on Dec. 9th, 2010

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

It is written: "[...] for generals of the first, the second or the third echelon, will be attained at the latest in December 2011." Is this accurate?

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

Yes, December 2011. However, in the case of those who wear two or more stars, it already applies. In the case of those who wear one star, the brigadiers-general and the commodores, it begins on December 31—

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

In two weeks.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Do you know how many people will be subject to this directive in December 2010 and in December 2011?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I am being polite, Mr. Chair, but you're not using a part of my allocated time, are you?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

In fact, your time is up, Mr. Nadeau. I will reserve your question.

Now let us go on to another committee member, please.

[Col Louis Meloche]

I could give you some figures, however these are progressive cut-off dates, to use your term. For example, to be more accurate, it was December 2009 for the majors-general, and for the brigadiers-general, it will be in December 2011. Thus, from the first of January 2012 onward, all the generals of the Canadian Forces will have to have obtained and will have to maintain the CBC profile. That is the directive from the Chief of the Defence Staff.

Just to give you an idea, I would like to emphasize that currently we are attaining the objectives that we should be attaining. However, with regard to the brigadiers-general that belong to the next targeted group, 60% of them had the CBC profile in 2008-2009. More recently, on October 31 of this year, we have attained 77%. This shows that a 17% increase has already been achieved. Their deadline is December 2011. Thus, we are still on track and making good progress.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You are confirming this morning that the December 2010 goal has been reached. So superior officers are complying with the requirements.

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

That was December 2009, for those with two stars and up.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

So, it is already in force.

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

Exactly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much.

We'll continue with Mr. Généreux.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good day, gentlemen.

The St. Jean military base was reopened by the Conservatives a few years ago. Would this military base be considered to facilitate the recruitment of francophone members to the forces? Has it always been a facilitator for recruiting Canadian Forces staff?

I do not know if you understand my question. Currently there are approximately 3,000 people on the base.

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

I'd simply like to draw a distinction between the St. Jean military base, where you have the St. Jean Canadian Forces Language School and the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, and the St. Jean Royal Military College, which is elsewhere.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I would like to clarify a point raised by Mr. Godin on the library. You were referring to a bookstore and from time to time a library. Were you referring to the same thing?

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

The library in question is the General-Jean-V.-Allard Commemorative Library, located on the base. After a period of strategic review there was a decision to transform it into a pedagogical resource centre. This period...

was really based on a usage survey. At the end of the day, one of the goals was to make sure that

the 85,000 books in question

were more readily accessible to the public. It was based on the usage study. I have not seen the study, but I'm led to understand that it was to make sure that the books were more accessible to the people who use them. So if they weren't being used at the base in Saint-Jean, what could be done to make sure these volumes were in a better place,

either in a municipal library, or at the St. Jean Royal Military College.

where they could be used and accessed more regularly?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Chairman, would it be possible for the committee to obtain a rationale and explanation for the closure, without inviting another army witness?

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

As the library falls within the army's purview, the Chief of the Land Staff will be able to give you a clearer answer to that question.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Why would the commissioner have given you an overall F grade in his analysis?

[Col Louis Meloche]

What are you referring to?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I'm referring to the official languages commissioner.

[Col Louis Meloche]

We did not get an F. In fact, speaking of reports, we collaborated closely with the official languages commissioner's team for his report on individual instruction and education. If you read the commissioner's opening remarks, I think it is clear that there is close cooperation between the commissioner and ourselves. We work together to find solutions and solve systemic problems, as the rear-admiral said.

In his report, the commissioner even points to progress and encourages us to continue. Clearly the commissioner will check to make sure that we are doing what we promised to do. With respect to the audit on individual instruction, we have an action plan. It is rigorously followed by the official languages director. So, we are progressing.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Smith, earlier on, you referred to pride. As far as I'm concerned this is a very important word. I would like you to tell us a little bit about being proud of a truly bilingual Canadian Forces, of everything you do and everything you are implementing so that this pride is felt among all the ranks.

[RAdm Andrew Smith]

First of all, the Canadian Forces are a Canadian institution. Therefore, we have obligations pursuant to the Official Languages Act and our institution must be bilingual. Our leader's commitment shows that we take this matter to heart.

As I briefly mentioned to the chair before we began, when I enrolled, I did not speak a word of French. They taught me French and today, I'm bilingual.

Perhaps it wasn't so easy 30 years ago, but over the last 5 to 10 years, bilingualism and official languages have become an increasing part of the culture of the forces, especially thanks to the transformation model we implemented. Increasingly, people are taking this to heart. It is a matter of pride.

I'd like to point out that although I have a B.A. and two masters in engineering, I make greater use of my French skills than I do of those learned through these post-secondary studies. It is a matter of pride for me and for the senior ranks within the Canadian Forces.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Mr. Généreux.

Before we move to Mr. Godin, I'd like to ask a question of Col Meloche.

The commissioner noted that there was a shortage of instructors who are able to teach in French. I think you have already addressed this issue. Where do things stand today?