Official Languages Committee on Feb. 9th, 2011

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

Actually, if none of your applications have been refused--

[Marie Coderre]

In fact, there is my regular program and the project on linguistic duality that was accepted. With respect to all the other programs, I am still waiting for an answer. The SAIC has almost said yes. I'm still waiting for an answer.

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

When they tell you it's on the Minister's desk, that means it has already been accepted.

[Marie Coderre]

I understand, but still--

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

There is a distinction to be made there.

Is my time up?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, your time is up, Mr. Généreux.

In fact, we have 10 to 15 minutes left until the end of the meeting. We could continue with a formal round or have one last five-minute round.

Mr. Murphy, please.

[Brian Murphy, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

With respect to the census, I note in the document prepared by the Library of Parliament that the population here is more mobile than in the rest of Canada. That means there are a lot of people moving around.

Furthermore, we need accurate numbers to show how many have French as their mother tongue and how many have a knowledge of French, in order to support the programs the minority communities need.

Do you think, either collectively or individually, that a reliable census that provides a lot of details and answers to questions about the population you are serving, is important to have?

[Suzette Montreuil]

Yes, but even the long form census did not identify rights holders. The question only refers to whether they spoke French. That is not the same thing.

I want to point out that in Western and Northern Canada, the starting point cannot only be those who speak French. If we want the language to survive, we have to promote it and repair all the damage that has been done, take a broad view of things, use the census and go even further because, in terms of French in Western Canada, the questions were not enough.

[Philippe Brûlot]

I should also add that census data is not always accurate. Let me give you an example. The question is not whether you have studied French, but rather, whether you speak French. Someone who may have lived in Quebec for two years and has lost the use of his language will say that he does not speak French. Automatically we lose a rights holder. There are all kinds of inaccuracies like that in the census data. We must exercise caution in that regard.

[Brian Murphy, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Thank you.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Ms. Montreuil, you told the committee that the French-language school board has no financial management powers, other than the power to pay its employees, and that it does not own its infrastructure. Does it own the land where the school is located?

[Suzette Montreuil]

No.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Are the English-language school boards in the same position?

[Suzette Montreuil]

The other two school boards in Yellowknife own both their land and their facilities. School boards outside of Yellowknife are pretty much in the same position as we are. They have no taxation powers and they do not own their facilities.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

So, it applies to one school board but not another.

[Suzette Montreuil]

There are several school boards in the Territories--

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

How many are there?

[Suzette Montreuil]

I believe there are eight.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

So, there are eight school boards and three schools.

[Suzette Montreuil]

No, in Yellowknife, there are three school boards--

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

I'm talking about Yellowknife.

[Suzette Montreuil]

If you are only talking about Yellowknife, there are about 14 schools and 3 school boards, including one Catholic, one public and one Francophone.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Are they in the same position as your school board?

[Suzette Montreuil]

No, the other two school boards in Yellowknife do have taxation powers and also own their land and their facilities.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Have you asked the ministry why the same conditions do not apply to everyone?