Official Languages Committee on March 22nd, 2011

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I don't want to wrap it but, but I would just like to say a few words.

Ms. Forand needs to understand that she and her colleagues were not mistaken, in my opinion. They are now stuck with the situation and they will have to get out of it. There is a difference between customer service and the administrative structure.

Jim Wood, who used to represent the administration in New Brunswick, was bilingual. We used to call him when there were problems. When I last wanted to talk to him, he had been replaced by Doug Johnson from Newfoundland, who does not speak French. Every time someone from Bathurst wants to talk to someone in the administration, they have to talk to Doug Johnson, an anglophone who does not speak French.

There had better be some fancy footwork from those people when they come here on Thursday.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We seem to have consensus.

Mr. Bélanger, over to you.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

First, I thank my colleagues for their support.

Second, in preparation for the meeting, would it be possible to get some notes on the administrative structure we will be talking about? That could help us in our deliberations.

Third, I have a confession to make. I was in the chair for that session. It was correctly pointed out to me that I forgot to mention that it was International Women's Day. So may I wish everyone a happy, but slightly belated International Women's Day.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I want to mention one other thing that Ms. Forand told the committee. She said that there had been consultation in the Chéticamp area when services were withdrawn from certain groups. In fact, she said that a person had been assigned to go there and do the job. After that announcement, groups have said that they were never consulted, they were simply told that the services had been done away with.

I do not want her to be surprised.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Godin.

We are now going to vote on Mr. Bélanger's motion, including the date of Thursday, March 24.

(Motion agreed to)

We are now going to suspend the session for a few minutes in order to continue our work in camera.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, the RCMP has not reported to us. We have sent them letters, but there has been no reply.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

We are going to suspend the work and we will come back to that.

[ Proceedings continue in camera]