Official Languages Committee on March 8th, 2012

[Charles-Antoine Gauthier]

Thank you for your question.

I'm going to consult my colleagues since we don't really have an good answer to give you. I know how the initial $10 million amount was determined. It wasn't in response to project proposals from the NRC. The same was true for the renewal: that amount was probably entered automatically.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Would it be possible to make the necessary checks and provide the committee with that information?

[Charles-Antoine Gauthier]

You want to know how the decision was made?

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I would like you to get a slightly clearer answer to the question I asked and to provide it to the committee.

[Charles-Antoine Gauthier]

I will take note of the question and provide you with an answer.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you very much.

How do you manage the centre? How do you manage the funding granted under the roadmap?

[Dr. Danial Wayner]

Do you mean the centre or the language technologies group that we created?

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I'm talking about the LTRC.

[Charles-Antoine Gauthier]

I must clear up a confusing point in the documentation. The NRC receives funding to direct an initiative, the LTRC, which is referred to in the documentation as CRTL, the acronym for the centre's French name. There is also another non-profit organization called CRTL, which has its own governance and is independent of the NRC.

Does your question concern the NRC initiative or the non-profit organization called CRTL?

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Your clarification suggests to me that the LTRC itself manages the funding allocated under the roadmap initiative?

[Charles-Antoine Gauthier]

No, the roadmap has funded the National Research Council. CRTL is a non-profit organization that must find its own funding. It is not funded under the roadmap.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I'll look into this matter a little further. I didn't get the right information.

[Dr. Danial Wayner]

The support role in the circumstances consists in creating a research group whose purpose is to develop new language technologies.

In that context, we build partnerships and we've succeeded in developing new technologies and transferring them to our partners who are now using them.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you.

How much time do I have left?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Time is up.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

No more time. All right. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Ms. Michaud

Mr. Trottier now has the floor.

[Bernard Trottier, Conservative, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It's my turn to acknowledge the contribution of women within the Government of Canada and across the country on this International Women's Day.

I thank my colleague opposite for her questions.

I would like to talk about economic diversification. Let's start with western Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada was founded in 1987, if I'm not mistaken. I am a former resident of western Canada. I grew up in northern Alberta and lived in a riding whose MP was Don Mazankowski. I think he was one of the catalysts in the creation of that agency promoting western economic diversification.

Could you talk about your mandate as it concerns innovation and diversification? What is the place of official languages in diversification? For example, you talk about production or expanding the western Canadian economy, which used to be based on agriculture and natural resources. What can we really do? What is the role of official languages?

You talk about tourism, for example. Are there any examples of that? Are there any industries they could use this asset that Canada has, its two official languages, to develop new businesses in western Canada?

[Daniel Watson]

Definitely. With your permission, I will ask my colleagues to cite the example of Centralia in a minute.

Official languages are an enormous asset. Canada's presence is much more strongly felt in international markets when we are able to speak with our business partners in the language they prefer. In Canada, our two official languages are obviously two major assets.

It is interesting to see that French, Swiss, Belgian and francophone African companies, which occupy an important place in the oil and agrifood industries, are very much interested in coming to Canada and to western Canada to take advantage of all our assets. Those assets include natural resources and technological development, as well as the ability to work in the language of one's choice.

Recently, on two occasions, we supported a major project that directly involves these issues.

With your permission, I will ask my colleague France Guimond to talk about the Centralia project. She will tell you what it means for the economy in the west and internationally.

[France Guimond, Director General, Operations-Manitoba, Western Economic Diversification Canada]

Good morning, Mr. Chair.

The Centralia project received WD funding in 2010. That was the first time a forum like that was held in Manitoba. More than 4,000 international small businesses took part in it, and the results were very good. We finalized sales with a number of businesses, and there is also a very strong possibility that four major Manitoba businesses may be developing projects that could have a $75 million impact.

With regard to official languages, a number of western businesses, operating at the national and international levels, were able to do business in French in Manitoba. Those are very good results.

I would also like to cite the example of the Manitoba Music Industry Association because you mentioned other sectors. That association is a non-profit organization that received WD funding to develop new international markets for businesses.

In Manitoba, the cultural organization 100 NONS has long been working with francophone artists and businesses. A number of exchanges were facilitated between 100 NONS and the Manitoba Industry Association. Even though the target markets are not the same, we considered the national mandate. There are a lot of exchanges and the results are fantastic. That's another example.

[Bernard Trottier, Conservative, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Thanks very much.

I am speaking to the representatives of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. I imagine your organization's mandate is slightly different from that of the western organization. In the west, it's more a matter of diversification, whereas you are operating more in the regions—so less in Montreal and Quebec City—such as Gaspésie and the Magdalen Islands.

Could you give us some concrete examples of things that have developed with the minority communities in Gaspésie or the Magdalen Islands and that will assist those anglophone communities in developing their economies?

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

Thank you for the question.

We at CED are concerned with economic development that is sustainable over the long term. Sometimes, to be able to have an influence on growth, we first have to promote the diversification of the community's economic base so that we can then help it grow.

The basic principle is that, if we want to promote diversification and growth, we have to be able to use all the assets available in each of the regions in order to achieve growth objectives. As the CED, we take action in that area. Sometimes we focus on diversification because the communities are at a less developed stage.

I am going to hand the floor over my colleague, who can cite some examples of what we sometimes do with regard to diversification or when we are at a more advanced stage of economic growth.

[Gilles Pelletier, Director General, Regional Operations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

We intervene in the areas of entrepreneurship, tourism, innovation and economic diversification in virtually all Quebec regions where there is a significant anglophone community. In Gaspésie, more particularly, I can cite two examples. Among others, there is the

Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders.

We support the anglophone community of Grosse-Île. We are helping it develop projects in the cruise industry. As you know, we have an initiative designed to support the development of cruises to attract international cruise lines. We have mobilized the Grosse-Île community so that, through CED funding under the roadmap, it can renovate tourist sites of importance to the community that can also become tourist attractions for foreign tourists.

Another very promising project is that of the Committee for Anglophone Social Action. This is a very promising project that was also funded in Gaspésie. The purpose of that project is to develop cooperative networks between anglophones and francophones in the Gaspé region, to develop a spirit of entrepreneurship and mutual assistance that will enable both communities to develop economically.

We also have projects in the Outaouais, Montreal, Quebec City and across Quebec.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Mr. Weston.

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

Thanks, everyone. Thank you, Mr. Watson.

As the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, I occasionally use the name West Van Whistler, the riding of the winter Olympic and paralympic games. I am very pleased to hear your comments. I believe the Olympic Games have left a legacy, especially at Whistler, but also across the province of British Columbia. For example, French immersion schools are still developing in the province.

My question is for you, Mr. Wayner. I am very much interested in the technological development you described, and I have a question in mind. If a small business is developing language learning software, how does it approach your office? Is there still some funding left? Do you have any recommendations for that kind of business, because I believe there are a lot of them in Canada? A lot of citizens speak several languages and are interested in learning more. I know someone in my riding who is considering developing that kind of business