Evidence of meeting #36 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 quebec.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
NDP
Dan Harris NDP Scarborough Southwest, ON
If there's further debate, then I will pass it on to my colleagues.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Okay.
There is no calling the question until debate collapses.
We now go to Mr. Bélanger.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
I will not speak for too long. Ever since the Conservatives came to power, ministers have been appearing before the committee for one hour only. I wanted to know if that was still their intention, and it appears to be so.
Three departments, under the Official Languages Act, have specific responsibilities regarding official languages. Those are the Department of Justice, the Department of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Treasury Board. We have never seen the President of Treasury Board.
A report was tabled. I agree with Mr. Godin in that we should hear from the minister, and because he has specific responsibility under the act, I think we should spend two hours with him. I know that ministers are busy but once a schedule has been set, the minister can come for two hours. I will agree that he can come when it is convenient for him, but the meeting should last for two hours.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Fine. There are 30 seconds remaining.
Mr. Ravignat, you have the floor.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I simply want to say that the last time a meeting on this was to take place was in the Senate on October 20, 2011. It was cancelled so that he could attend a lunch with the mayor of Ottawa. What are his priorities?
On that note, let's call the question and we will see what your priorities are.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
I have one minute—literally. We're in our last minute.
Is there any further debate on the subamendment?
Okay. Then I'll call the question on the subamendment.
(Subamendment negatived)
We're back to the amendment.
Is there any debate on the amendment?
Seeing none, I'll call the question—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Okay.
I'll call the question on the amendment.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We're now back to the main motion as amended.
Is there further debate on the main motion as amended?
Mr. Harris...?
You're out of time. I'm going to adjourn.
I'm going to call the question on the motion as amended.
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Okay. The main motion as amended has been adopted.
I will call the minister. I will ask him to appear for two hours, and we'll try to get that done in May or June.
This meeting is adjourned.
Have a good Easter weekend.
