Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Commissioner and thank you to your staff members who have come with you this morning. My comments will deal with two issues: that of Air Canada in the second part, but first the Olympic Games.
Towards the end of your presentation, on the subject of Vancouver Airport, you used the expression “business as usual”, on the subject of a possible return to old habits. And yet, Mr. Commissioner, you gave compelling examples of other people who understood, including when you spoke about our athletes. Our athletes are more and more bilingual. In fact, our young people across the country are more and more bilingual. Private companies, including The Bay and Coca-Cola, understood the message concerning bilingualism. On the other hand, I understand that you did not want to make comments on the Olympic Games' opening ceremony, but let us remember that our athletes, our youth, are more and more bilingual and that private companies understood the need to offer bilingual services even though they are under no obligation to do so. They are private companies. They are under no obligation, but they understood. There must be a reason for that. However, as far as the opening ceremonies were concerned, you have had concerns since 2006. For our part, at the committee, it is true that we had to act as a watchdog, at one point, in order to ensure that adequate services would be offered to people. The Olympic Games were not only for the citizens of the world, but also the Canadian Olympic Games, for Canadians, paid for in part with Canadian taxpayers' dollars. Those who were not able to participate directly in Vancouver also had the right to participate in their own way, at home, in front of their televisions.
How many times did we have the people from VANOC here, how many times did we tell them—I will always remember what I said—that we would find ourselves obliged to make comments that were not always glowing after the Olympic Games. It is clear that generally speaking, perhaps on the ground there, things were fine, but we nevertheless had given them a warning from the first countdown. One year before the launch of the Olympic Games, when there was the countdown, we gave a warning to VANOC and we could only expect that they got the message. I am aware of the fact that you may not want to discuss this, but one year later, at the opening ceremonies, we witnessed a situation that was perhaps not identical but that was somewhat similar, and that is shameful. It was in response to these criticisms, including criticism of the Department of Heritage itself, that at the end of the Olympic Games there were efforts made to compensate for that, which is laudable. People made efforts and I would never criticize anyone who tries, even if things are imperfect. Not everyone has the ability to speak both official languages perfectly, of course.
Needless to say I am anxious to see your final report because the committee has devoted four years to this issue. This took a lot of time and we asked VANOC to take the situation seriously. Once again, I repeat, taxpayers' money paid for part of the Olympic Games. It was not only for the rest of the world, but also for Canadians.
I would now like to discuss Air Canada. Mr. Commissioner, I agree with you that we need legislation. We remember, a few years ago, probably around 2006, that Minister Cannon announced with great pride to the Standing Committee on Official Languages that he would be enacting legislation on Air Canada. That was in 2006. We have had many elections and prorogations since without result. It is not even in the government's pipeline—if you'll pardon my expression—at this time. I still remember Air Canada's comments and I would like you to clarify the situation. Air Canada was saying they did not want to have any obligations, and that if they did, they would need help. Mr. Commissioner, is Air Canada subject to any obligations, yes or no? When they signed the agreement to buy Canadian International, was the obligation to provide services in both official languages included?