Thank you.
I would now like to ask my third question about the games, Commissioner.
During his appearance last week, the minister spoke about Pascal Couchepin, who was the Great Witness of the francophonie at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. However, the Great Witness of the francophonie for the Turin Games, Lise Bissonnette, commented on the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games during an interview with Carl Bernier on Radio-Canada radio. Mr. Bernier questioned her about an article that appeared in La Presse the day after the opening ceremony. In that article, she wrote that she had been utterly scandalized about the lack of space given to French. Ms. Bissonnette then indicated that she believed that a distinction was again being made between the cultural language and the language of communication, a topic that she would address during a speech that she gave later that day. She added that the opening ceremony was first and foremost a cultural event and that the organizers had completely missed the boat. Another Great Witness of the francophonie seems to agree with you.
I went to listen to Ms. Bissonnette's speech. That led me to ask the minister another question. Mr. Commissioner, do we want to treat French like a functional language rather than a language that builds a sense of identity? If possible, I would like you to deal with that issue in your report, because I believe it goes beyond the issue of the games and that opening ceremony. It addresses the implementation of the Official Languages Act and Canada's identity. Is French a language that builds our identity and culture, or is it becoming a functional, utilitarian language? I will come back to that, but I will await your report before delving into that further.
Let us talk about Air Canada, even though my colleague, Mr. Godin, has gotten ahead of me and asked my question in part. During the 37th, 38th and 39th Parliaments, we attempted to adopt legislation, but to no avail. Can you access the courts without such legislation?