Official Languages Committee on Jan. 31st, 2013

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

It was the Fort-Témiscamingue Historic Site in northwestern Quebec. I later worked in Old Montreal and elsewhere. As a historian, I was so impressed and inspired by those sites that I decided I would like to work within that organization. I'm still there, 25 years later.

You are perfectly right. Many people across the country have already had the opportunity, like Mr. Galipeau, to work for Parks Canada. We continue to hire students. Their expertise and skills vary. They work at our historic sites and national parks. Many of those young people stay with us, but even though some of them leave, we will at least have had the opportunity to educate them and expose them to their national heritage—be it cultural, historic or natural.

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

Thank you. I'm finished.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

You have a few minutes left.

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

I thought I had only two minutes.

So I'll talk about minority language communities.

Do national parks undertake projects to celebrate the contribution of language communities? Here, I'm thinking of my experience as a francophone in the west. I lived in Alberta, and my heritage was from Manitoba.

What are national parks doing to celebrate that aspect of the country?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

The most important thing we can do—and I think this is already being done—is to recognize this reality in a genuine and consistent manner. In all of our activities—be it programs we offer, consultations we hold or communications products we make—we abide by the spirit of the law. I talked about that earlier. I think that is a very important way to highlight the reality of our language communities across the country.

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

Regarding the celebration of the French fact in the west, for instance, do parks have any specific projects? I am not too sure what is happening with regard to this in Manitoba. I assume that historic sites pay tribute to Louis Riel and Manitoba's francophone community. However, are there any historic sites of that kind elsewhere in the west?

[Dr. Larry Ostola]

Yes, and different aspects of our history are celebrated at different locations. We are talking about a history and a sort of a portrait of Canada in all its diversity—be it cultural or linguistic.

In response to a question asked earlier, I said that Louis Riel's story or parts thereof are provided at a number of sites. We also highlight topics such as the history of voyageurs or other aspects of Canadian history at various locations where it applies. I think that is also a way to recognize not only the diversity of our history, but also the reality of our linguistic diversity.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Ostola.

Thank you, Mr. Trottier. I also want to thank all the members of the committee.

This meeting is adjourned.