Evidence of meeting #46 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 yellowknife.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Alain Bessette  Manager, Éditions franco-ténoises, Aquilon et la Société Radio Taïga
François Pitre  Chairman of the Board of Directors, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Justin Carey  President, Association franco-culturelle de Hay River
Simon Lepage  Vice-President, Association franco-culturelle de Hay River
Jean de Dieu Tuyishime  Director, Réseau Territoires du Nord-Ouest Santé en français, Fédération Franco-Ténoise
Sylvie Francoeur  Executive Director, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Marie-Pierre Dupont  Garderie Plein Soleil
Suzette Montreuil  Chair, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Marie Coderre  Executive Director, Culture, Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife
Rachelle Francoeur  Coordinator, Jeunesse Territoires du Nord-Ouest, Fédération Franco-Ténoise
Marc Bilodeau  President, Association des parents ayants droit de Yellowknife
Philippe Brûlot  Superintendent, Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

3:10 p.m.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

François Pitre

Every time there is an election, we have two or three candidates. We'll have to ensure that they get elected.

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC

I hope you will have some candidates, because otherwise, no one will be there to speak on your behalf in the legislature…

This morning, we saw the minister who is responsible for official languages. It's not easy. I know they have to respect the fact that there are 11 languages, but the federal government recognizes French as one of this country's two official languages. You really are caught between a rock and a hard place.

3:10 p.m.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

François Pitre

It is a consensus government; there are no parties. So it is as though there were 19 different small parties.

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC

Well, since there are no parties, perhaps you could get together and try to… You do vote, don't you?

3:10 p.m.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

François Pitre

Yes, but when there is no money, consensus doesn't work [Inaudible--Editor].

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC

I sincerely hope things work out for you.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

Thank you very much, Ms. Guay.

We will now move over to the Conservative side. We will begin with Mr. Galipeau.

I believe you will be sharing your time, Mr. Galipeau.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I'm going to try something I tried in Whitehorse.

First of all, thank you very much for being with us today to share your hopes and perhaps some of your fears. I am going to ask you a question with more of a sociological slant to it, to help us get a better understanding of who you are. So, I am going to point to a specific period in your life.

Where did you attend high school?

Mr. Tuyishime?

3:10 p.m.

Director, Réseau Territoires du Nord-Ouest Santé en français, Fédération Franco-Ténoise

Jean de Dieu Tuyishime

I studied medicine in Rwanda.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Mr. Carey?

3:10 p.m.

President, Association franco-culturelle de Hay River

Justin Carey

It was in Quebec, on the south shore opposite Montreal, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

I know that area.

Mr. Lepage?

3:10 p.m.

Vice-President, Association franco-culturelle de Hay River

Simon Lepage

In Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Gaspésie.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Mr. Bessette?

3:10 p.m.

Manager, Éditions franco-ténoises, Aquilon et la Société Radio Taïga

Alain Bessette

At the Seminary in Sherbrooke.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Mr. Pitre?

3:10 p.m.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

François Pitre

At Bourget College, in Rigaud.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Oh! I know that area. I'm from St. Isidore de Prescott.

3:10 p.m.

Jean-François Pitre

And I am from Plantagenet.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

We may even be related.

3:10 p.m.

Jean-François Pitre

Possibly.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Ms. Francoeur?

3:10 p.m.

Executive Director, Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

Sylvie Francoeur

In Fort McMurray, Alberta.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Ms. Dupont?

February 9th, 2011 / 3:10 p.m.

Marie-Pierre Dupont Garderie Plein Soleil

In Abitibi-Témiscamingue.