Official Languages Committee on Nov. 17th, 2011

[Gilles LeVasseur]

Linguistic duality requires that we be present in our society. We cannot allow ourselves to lose the resources that present the face of the regions to all Canadians without taking this linguistic reality into account. Radio-Canada does this by taking into account not only the metropolitan centres, but the regions as well. That's what we must never overlook, that the regions are often forgotten.

That's the purpose of Radio-Canada, to ensure that those regions speak in the minority language.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Mr. Weston, go ahead, please.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

First, I would like to go back to the following point. When we receive a petition, as riding representatives, we have an obligation to ensure that the petition is tabled, as Mr. Bélanger said, or present it orally in the House. We have to do that even if we don't agree with what the petitioners say.

To go back to the issues we discussed earlier, do you have anything to say—

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Go ahead, Mr. Bélanger.

You have the floor.

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

Mr. Chairman, he has just made a statement that is not true. I'm not required, as a member, to table a petition.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

That's not a point of order. It's a point of information. It's not up to the chair or other members to make determinations on the veracity of other members' comments.

I'd ask that members not interrupt other members when they have the floor.

Mr. Weston, you have the floor.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Thank you.

What message could you transmit to the communities of British Columbia or Saskatchewan that are working for the vitality of the French language?

There are a lot of barriers. For example, a school in Whistler wants to teach French, but people say you can't go to British Columbia to learn French. What can you say to inspire those people who would like to see French develop?

[Denis Vaillancourt]

Mr. Weston, I would tend to refer the question back to you and to ask you what our national government can do to promote the acquisition of the second language. The onus is not just on the community. Our government must make this its national value. As stated in the Roadmap, this is a cornerstone of our national identity. The first promoter of the national identity, that is to say the federal government, must inform the majority group that learning the language of the other group is an advantage and a need for both parties. Appointing a unilingual francophone to the position Auditor General would have been unthinkable. The promoter of linguistic duality in British Columbia is, first of all, the federal government.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

You know that the government has invested more than $1 billion in the Roadmap. I believe you will agree that the vitality of the culture and language is not the sole responsibility of governments, but also of the people and communities, isn't it?

[Alexis Couture]

I believe you're right on that point, but I think the government has a responsibility in that regard and that the communities must also accept a share of it if they want to survive in the long term. In the communities across the country, whether it be in the cultural field, youth, health or the representation of adults, a remarkable amount of work has been done to promote the language and explain the appeal of speaking French. It is an absolutely superb language and being able to speak it affords extraordinary benefits, if only because Canada, by its nature, is better understood when you speak both official languages. Whether it concerns the laws, history or culture, understanding both languages enables us to understand both communities. Language is more than a tool for communication. It's also the reflection of a culture and the cornerstone of that culture. That's part of Canada.

Working for that development and vitality is essential. I believe the communities are doing it and that the government is doing it as well, but we can always do more.

[Gilles LeVasseur]

Mr. Weston, it must be borne in mind that the federal government has a duty of leadership with regard to Canada's linguistic duality. In the regions where the number of francophones or francophiles does not achieve critical mass and for the communities to take charge of their destiny, basic development tools must offered.

Mr. Galipeau asked what could be done for our relations to be well structured. For example, the government could ensure that, in the political sphere, annual meetings are held involving the officials of associations and the ministerial level so that we could speak to each other. The same could be done in the departments with officials so that people could understand each other. It seems at one point that the message is not that of the associations and the strategic plan is not always understood. This relationship is necessary so that we can explain our approach to each other and explain our priorities to you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

All right. Thank you very much.

Thanks to committee members for their questions and comments. Thanks as well to our witnesses for their presentations and testimony.

The meeting is adjourned.