Official Languages Committee on March 8th, 2012

[Dr. Danial Wayner]

If you want to explore a little more around where even the translation technologies have potential for growth, you can think about business intelligence tools, where companies like OpenText are providing tremendous breadth to companies to explore and analyze information. The integration of a wide range of translation tools allows Canadian firms like this to have opportunities to continue to grow and dominate the global markets.

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

Right.

I have a question for Jean-Pierre. You had mentioned in your OLMC initiative that you had been soliciting, I guess, from different groups concerns that they had with the program. I don't bring this up to highlight the negative; I ask it for this purpose. What are the concerns they have, and what are some solutions to those concerns that you can talk about today? Highlight maybe the top two concerns.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

I would say there is one that comes to mind the most. It depends to whom you are talking and where they're coming from.

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

There are aboriginal and there are other areas.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

I would say the Montrealers and the non-Montrealers. So if you go outside Montreal, usually the biggest concern is with regard to diversification. Therefore, we support those communities to get together and develop their own development plan, their own diversification plan. Then we may support the implementation of the plan. That's what we do in Gaspésie or the North Shore.

The other concern is the same, then, for the majority in Quebec and in Canada. It's with regard to entrepreneurship and the lack of future entrepreneurs. So on that front, also, we support a lot of projects to help stimulate entrepreneurship within the English communities—

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

So you see there's currently a lack. It has been stated that there's a lack, and you're helping expand it.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

Yes, there is a lack of future entrepreneurs. When you look at the trend, Canada and Quebec will soon be facing a severe lack of new entrepreneurs. The community is preoccupied with that. That's why we're giving that priority.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Zimmer, for those questions.

Monsieur Bélanger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be quick about it.

First of all, I would like to respond to Mr. Aubin to prevent a lot of people from doing any needless work. If you type CCDA, Centre canadien de données en astronomie, into your browser, you'll find the French page. For the National Research Council, all you have to do is make sure that your pages are linked. There is a French page.

I'm not used to paying compliments, but I'm going to make one to the WD people. You have a good structure and you are doing a good job. I had the opportunity to see that in the four western provinces. It is unfortunate that you don't also take care of the territories. The new organization may perhaps learn from you, but I encourage you to continue what you're doing.

I also noted that Centralia has an excellent website. That event will be held from October 10 to 12, and the House is not sitting during that week. I was wondering whether there was a special pass for MPs.

[Daniel Watson]

We'll give you a warm welcome.

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

Perhaps some of us will go. I simply want to encourage you to continue your good work.

Now I turn to the CED people. Why did you just make an oral presentation earlier? I have two other written documents, but I don't have yours.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

I brought a limited number of copies this morning. I thought I only had to bring six copies.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

It's a bilingual copy, but it isn't a copy in both official languages. The copies are in French, but not in English.

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

Oh, it hasn't been translated.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

No, only the parts I read in English were translated.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

That was translated into French.

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

I understand. Why is that the case?

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

We may not have abided by the rules. I didn't think I had to bring—

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

When you speak to Quebec's anglophone communities, do you speak a little French tanned the little English?

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

No, we obviously speak to them in English, or in the language of their choice.

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

Perhaps you didn't check to see that there were probably members who preferred to speak in English and others in French. You didn't take the trouble to do it in both official languages.

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

No, that's my mistake.

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

It seems to me that Mr. Pelletier is your superior, isn't he?

[Jean-Pierre Lavoie]

No, he's my colleague.

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

Aren't you the director general?