Official Languages Committee on Jan. 31st, 2013

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

I was there.

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

—yes, you were—a very significant occasion. Again, as was the case with Grand Pré, it was a source of great pride to us all.

In terms of the question you asked about reaching out to linguistic minority communities, in all of our activities—interpretive activities, the communications we make, the publications we produce, and so on—we make every effort to make sure we're reaching out to people in the language of their choice.

We greatly respect the fact that there are different language communities in different parts of Canada, and we do everything we can to ensure that we're respecting not only the intent but also the spirit of the Official Languages Act in our efforts to reach out to them. People have access to interpretive programs in the official language of their choice and so on.

We want to continue to be able to provide that service so that people know, when they come to our places, that they will in fact be greeted warmly, in terms of our brand personality, in the official language of their choice.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

I thank you, and I'm satisfied with the answer you gave me, but I just want to remind you that I'm not altogether satisfied with the answers you gave Mr. Dion. As soon as you can put some flesh on those bones, I hope you'll let us know.

I'd like to share my time with my colleague.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Chisu, go ahead.

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Dr. Ostola, for your presentation.

As I understand it, Parks Canada is mandated to protect and present Canada's natural and cultural heritage. Parks Canada is very much renowned in the world and is an example of preserving nature and heritage. Congratulations also for your recent 100 years celebration.

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

Thank you.

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

Is linguistic duality one of the elements of cultural heritage that Parks Canada will celebrate during events marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and if it is, how will this be reflected in the new national urban park, Rouge Park, which will be well on its way to being established in 2017?

This park will be easily accessible by many Canadians. With 100 kilometres, you will reach 20% of the Canadian population.

How will this park be used to promote our bilingualism, and not only our bilingualism but also our cultural heritage and our other national parks?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

There are a few things I would say in response. Certainly to address the first point you raised, it is our intention to make sure that linguistic duality is actively reflected and respected in the context of everything we do for the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

One of the effective ways we are going to be able to do that is by ensuring that when Canadians come to our places to visit us, whether they be national historic sites or national parks, they have the possibility to experience the places in the language of their choice, in a way they feel welcome, and in a way that encourages them to discover more about their heritage. That's a very important way we can contribute to the promotion of linguistic duality in the context of the 150th anniversary celebrations.

You also specifically raised the case of the Rouge National Urban Park, and you quite rightly pointed out that it represents a phenomenal opportunity. It's in the heart of Canada's largest urban area, and there is really an opportunity to reach out to different communities, and to communities that in many cases may not in the past have had the opportunity to directly experience our national parks and national historic sites.

We have the opportunity not only to promote linguistic duality, which is a reality of Canada, but also, through the programs and initiatives we undertake at the Rouge, to really help people. Again, these are people who may have come from different places and different backgrounds, who may not have had the opportunity to experience Canadian heritage first-hand. We will have the opportunity, I think, to excite and inspire them.

If the Rouge is their first stop, maybe next summer they will choose to go to the Fortress of Louisbourg, in Cape Breton, or maybe they would like to visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks. There is an opportunity for us to use that first stop as a basis upon which people will then be encouraged to really learn more about our common heritage.

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

Are there any plans already in place for the Rouge Park regarding the celebration of 2017, or is it too early to address that? I am just asking this question because my military background is telling me that you need to plan ahead.

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

As I mentioned earlier, discussions are actively under way with a number of partners in terms of developing activities and initiatives that might be undertaken on the road to 2017 and in 2017. There is nothing specific I can say about the Rouge Park at this point, except to say that it clearly will be integrated into the planning we do as we head towards 2017.

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Ms. Michaud, you have the floor.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Ostola, for joining us today. I have several questions for you.

Your presentation has led me to understand that we all think Parks Canada must showcase our two official languages and provide a pan-Canadian vision of linguistic heritage. Yet it's clear that the cuts you have suffered in the last budget affect official language communities. Has Parks Canada assessed the impact of that $29-million cut on official language minority communities?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

Thank you for your question.

As I said earlier, budget 2012 resulted in some cuts. We are well aware of those cuts and the changes that have taken place, but, as I already said, we are keeping the team and the people we currently have in place because—

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

I apologize for interrupting you, but I have several questions to ask. I would like to know whether Parks Canada has really assessed the impact of cuts on official language minority communities.

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

We have considered the situation as a whole, but no specific study has been conducted.

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

Is that something Parks Canada is planning on doing?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

When the question was asked regarding an official languages assessment, one of the things I mentioned at the outset was the whole minority language community aspect. I think it's possible to consider that aspect.

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

That would be very useful. The committee should look into that, and your assessment would be very important to us. Could you please send it to us as soon as it is completed?

Let's stay roughly on the same topic. We already know that the cuts have a direct impact on official language communities. I am thinking, among others, of the closing of the Riel House National Historic Site of Canada, in Manitoba. That site no longer has a guide to talk about heritage, the importance of the house and about the role Louis Riel played for the Métis and francophones in other parts of Canada.

I am also thinking of the Laurier House National Historic Site of Canada located here, in Ottawa. In the near future, that site will also no longer have a guide. Six hundred jobs across the country have been cut, and the department is even thinking about increasing park entry fees.

How can Parks Canada really prepare for a major celebration like the 150th anniversary and do so with fewer employees? In addition, some historic sites that are important to official language minority communities are no longer accessible. How can all of our community heritage be highlighted in this context?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

As I said earlier, sites across Canada will be converted to provide what we call non-personalized services.

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

However, that's currently already the case at some sites.

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

It's important to point out that these are not closures.

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

However, no information is available aside from what is on the panels. Information is not provided actively and there are no longer any previously available services to properly explain things and go beyond the short description on the panels.

On-site guides can highlight everything that is important for communities, provide explanations and answer the questions of people who may not understand. I'm thinking, among others, of Louis Riel, who is often little known in the anglophone community. That's unfortunately a flaw of history. However, no such possibility exists.

How can we make sure to really recognize these historic figures who are important to our communities?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

That's a very good question. Two things should be mentioned.

It's important to point out that various topics can be covered at various locations. For instance, you talked about Louis Riel, whose story can be told at a number of Canadian sites.

However, I must also say that this is not just a matter of interpretation panels. We think that new technologies create opportunities for using different tools to provide additional information related to the history of a site. That's something we are currently looking into.

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

I will stick to the examples I already have.

Do you have any idea of how that could apply to the Riel House National Historic Site of Canada as part of the 150th anniversary?