Evidence of meeting #11 for Official Languages in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was alberta.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Perreaux, one sentence states that, if it's valid, you have to be able to measure it.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
You said very clearly that it was hard to measure improvement, results. Do you have a few suggestions?
Director General, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta
That's interesting. I mentioned the dialogues, particularly with the Official Languages Secretariat and the FCFA, where they concerned improvements that we had seen in our communities since 2008. That's a question that's easier to answer. However, it wasn't as easy to determine exactly what portion came from the Roadmap funding. It's a bit like water in the sand. Once the water is in the sand, it's hard to recover it. We've probably tripled the number of service points since 2008. That's just one example.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Are there any other examples that illustrate the way we can measure progress?
Director General, Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise
One of the key factors, when talking about measuring progress, is having the time to do it. When people ask us to measure the impact of an investment over a period of three months, for example, it's difficult. As for results, the investments are often made over the longer term. So how do you do it? Essentially, you have to go and see the people receiving the service, check whether citizens appreciate the service when they receive it, see whether the service was adequate and whether it met their needs. We have to ask ourselves whether, as partners in this investment, we informed the people well, played our role well. Did this funding meet citizens' needs? These are all fundamental questions.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
That's really a businessman's answer.
President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta
I'll give you the viewpoint of a person who has worked in the education field for more than 30 years.
Based on my experience, an evaluation is valid when the criteria are cited in advance and all stakeholders understand them clearly and know what will be measured, the performance or learning. If I had to advance an argument on how to evaluate, I would say that there at least has to be a common understanding of evaluations.
Conservative
Conservative
Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
You talked a lot about the fact that increasing numbers of francophone immigrants are settling in your communities. My colleague Mr. Bélanger also mentioned a study conducted during the last Parliament on the recruitment, intake and integration of immigrants in official-language minority communities. That report has not yet been discussed or even presented to the government.
Could you tell us about the importance of that report and about your recommendations for its handling by the committee and Parliament?
Director General, Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise
It's hard to comment since we don't know the content of the report or even the analysis that was conducted.
NDP
Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
What importance would you attach to a report dealing with a subject of this kind?
Director General, Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise
Obviously, any analysis of immigration would be interesting. Even the census data, which should be available by December, will help us reach certain findings, such as that the francophone population of western Canada has grown. At least that's what I see. In my opinion, it's data of this kind that will help us. Immigration and migration are key factors in the vitality of our communities.
NDP
Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Thank you.
Ms. Nolette and Mr. Perreaux, do you have any comments?
President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta
On how to use a report?
President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta
I agree with Mr. Simard. We have to have the time to assimilate what a report states to ensure that it paints a true and current picture of our community.
NDP
Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
However, to sum up your remarks, if the Standing Committee on Official Languages were in possession of such a report, it would be important for you to get a copy, to discuss it in Parliament and to get the government's comments.
Conservative
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I have a point of order, or rather a point of information following the last questions asked. The report was tabled in Parliament; it is public; it does exist. It's the government's response that we have not yet received.
I simply wanted to inform you of the fact.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
It's not a point of order, but rather a point of information. Thank you.
Ms. Michaud, go ahead, please.
NDP
Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I apologize for the confusion. I did not want to mislead the committee or the witnesses here. However, even though the report is available, I can nevertheless conceive that it is important to comment on it and for you to be able to discuss it with us.
You talked about the effect of the initiatives presented in the Roadmap. I believe that some consultations, although not many, were conducted with you.
How would you like to be involved in the development of the Roadmap, both in the evaluation and in the development of indicators? What do you think would be the ideal way for your communities to take part?