Evidence of meeting #37 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 research.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I am not talking about how the money was spent in the past. Were you consulted for the next roadmap?
Past Executive Director, Fédération franco-ténoise
I'm going to make a connection with the study conducted by the Canadian Institute of Research on Linguistic Minorities on the revitalization of three Canadian territories, which was funded by Canadian Heritage and the Commissioner of Official Languages between 2008 and 2010 or in 2008 and 2009. We saw the findings of that study, the content of which is magnificent. It runs to 135 pages and is based on information that resulted in broad consultations. It might be useful to your committee in providing content for its analyses.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Then would you say that the government consulted you for the next roadmap?
Past Executive Director, Fédération franco-ténoise
It paid for a study that cost $200,000. In my opinion, we had the opportunity to offer our comments and suggestions on our situation in a fairly significant manner. That does not mean that it was based solely on the roadmap.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I'm just talking about the roadmap. We are not talking just about the community. This is a study on the roadmap. I would like to know whether you were consulted regarding the roadmap.
Director, Board of Directors, Association des francophones du Nunavut
I'm going to take the floor as the new manager of the AFN. I'm going to say no and hand the floor over to Mylène.
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Association des francophones du Nunavut
I agree. I don't believe so, no.
Researcher, Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities
From what I remember, the institute was consulted the last time when the first roadmap was being developed with Mr. Lord. Since then, there has been no further consultation regarding a new roadmap.
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
Not as far as I know, no.
Executive Director, Fédération franco-ténoise
Although I have recently taken up my position, no, absolutely not.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
To your knowledge, you were not consulted on the roadmap.
Let's go back to early childhood. Mr. Williamson believes that this is the responsibility of parents, if the child is less than one year old. I do not know from what age of the child he believes that others should take part in that. However, we are talking about day care centres, about parents who work and who are not at home. Even if the child is under one, one year old, or is two years old, his or her working parents need a day care centre.
He is saying that there are two ways of thinking: that of the Conservatives and that of the Liberals. The Conservatives have proposed $100 per child, but that amount is taxable, and therefore reduced by half. That's like saying that it costs $100,000 to construct a building, but that you subtract $50,000 after the fact. It's the same for the $100 per child, which is taxable. Would that money not be better invested in day care centres?
We conducted a study after travelling across the country and met with the communities. We were told, for example, that if there is a francophone day care centre in the region, parents are inclined to send their children to that centre as soon as they are old enough and it is possible for them to attend French school. If there are no francophone day care centres, they will send their children to an anglophone facility. Here we're talking about francophones outside Quebec. There is a great risk of losing those children since they will be spending more time with adult anglophones. The parents feel that, for the welfare of their children, they will send them to an English school rather than a French school.
Can you comment on my remarks?
Conservative
Conservative
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
I never gave my point of view. I asked some questions and asked for clarification. Furthermore, Mr. Godin does not understand the program that we announced six years ago.
Conservative
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
I am sorry, but the amount of $500 that is returned to the government is absolutely incorrect. I didn't give my opinion; I simply wanted to know their opinion and to know why it was important from a cultural, not economic viewpoint. We had a debate on the economic aspect and your side lost six years ago.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Thank you, Mr. Williamson. That is not a point of order; it's a point of debate.
Mr. Dionne Labelle, do you want to add something?
NDP
Pierre Dionne Labelle NDP Rivière-du-Nord, QC
No, I simply wanted you to intervene. It was a question of debate and it should not have been raised.
Second Vice-President, Board of Directors, Fédération franco-ténoise
You painted an accurate picture of the situation. This is what happens when you don't have the necessary tools to promote identity-building. Our children go to anglophone day care centres and subsequently will never feel the need to turn to francophone services. So we lose our clientele. I believe you painted an accurate picture.