Official Languages Committee on March 6th, 2012

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, Mr. Godin?

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

I would like to suggest that we add this group to the meeting where the ACOA people and all those groups will come and testify. They could come at the same time. I suggest that we invite them, if we have the approval…

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We'll make the attempt. We'll ask it to appear. We'll try to fit it in. If it can't, we'll still demand that it submit a brief.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

That's it for me.

[A voice]

And we'll submit questions to it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We have, actually, a few extra minutes.

Mr. Zimmer, you've not had a chance to ask any questions. Would you...?

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

I will cede my time to my colleague, Mr. Gourde.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Gourde, do you have any questions?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I do, but I think we have to discuss future business or the budget. I will let you…

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay. Just one moment. Hold on.

We have 15 minutes left. If there are no further questions, we'll—

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

Yes.

I have one.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

All right.

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

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

I would like to know whether you have any idea of the status of official languages at the Competition Bureau and at the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.

[Mitch Davies]

To address that question, it will probably be important to gather specific data or information. However, since I personally don't work in those offices, I can't report more specifically on their activities.

I will be pleased to provide the committee with additional information on their official language programs. They are definitely required to follow the same procedure as is followed in all the other branches of the department.

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

Here is my final question, even though I am somewhat repeating myself. Has the roadmap been important for your departments?

[Mitch Davies]

Yes, it has.

[Michel Robillard]

It's important for us.

As I mentioned, it is especially so for the francophone communities because it helps provide access to other types of funding from our other programs. It has had a positive impact.

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

Like Guy A. Lepage, I'm going to say, here's the question that kills: do you want it to continue?

[Michel Robillard]

It's not up to me to decide.

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

I'm not asking you to decide.

Would you like it to continue?

[Michel Robillard]

I believe the question should be put to the francophone communities, but it's an important mechanism that, among other things, has enabled us to have a positive effect on the northern francophone communities.

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

Thank you.

And you, Mr. Davies, what do you think? I know it's not up to you to respond, but I would like to know your ideas on it.

[Mitch Davies]

Yes, it's important. We have definitely achieved some success through the regional development approach. As for FedNor, we've had very good success with some projects.

In my remarks, I discussed a project that had been expanded to apply across all of northern Ontario as a result of the success we had with the EDI. That's important.

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

The communities say it has been important for them. That's something.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.