Official Languages Committee on Oct. 18th, 2011

[Tom Scrimger]

The decision has not yet been made. The minister will have to make the decision once he has read the report, which isn't ready yet.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Scrimger and Mr. Godin.

Mr. Gourde, you have the floor.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I would like to thank the witnesses for being here this morning and for preparing the presentation. I think it clearly set the stage for this extensive reflection that will enable us to move forward with the initiatives.

I think that the past is indicative of the future. There was the Action Plan for Official Languages in 2003-2008. Then there was the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013. No doubt, in 2007, people reflected on the creation of the Roadmap. Are there major steps that should be taken again or considered to do the same work on the Roadmap, or are there things that should be avoided because they didn't amount to much? Of course, now, it's difficult to ask these questions because we are starting.

So to be able to open up about these questions, what action should be taken to ensure this study is completed?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

I see two things, mainly. The first is the review of what was done as part of the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013. It is mainly from this perspective that we are currently conducting the formal summative evaluations. We are reviewing each of the 32 initiatives again. It is being done by the evaluation services in the departments. So these are specialized groups that examine the various programs and activities of the departments to assess the performance and how effective they have been in fundamentally attaining the objectives set initially. So we will have information on the performance and effectiveness of the various measures. A horizontal evaluation will also be done. But it is a little out of phase and a little late to evaluate the entire Roadmap as an instrument. It is out of phase because it is fuelled in part by the results of the individual evaluations of the 32 initiatives. Still, all of that will give us a good overview of the effectiveness obtained as part of the initiatives and the Roadmap as a whole.

Also, since we are thinking about the future, we are still listening. Measures had already been taken in 2007 to listen to the communities. The format may vary depending on the circumstances. In 2007, for example, a champion was appointed by the minister responsible for official languages at the time. That champion was Mr. Bernard Lord. He did a tour to meet with people.

This time, we are maintaining the dialogue to gather information. We are taking note of the work that this committee is doing. Since we handle matters on official languages that interest the entire population, we are talking to the communities and stakeholders and taking note of the reactions, ideas and suggestions of these people so that we can reflect on the information later.

So we are talking about evaluation with respect to the past, and listening and consultation with respect to the future. The consultation will be fuelled by people giving their comments and opinions on how things went in the past. We will also put their creativity and ideas to use for the future.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

So, in short, there are two main thrusts: the 32 initiatives and the evaluation of everything that has been done, and hearing out the communities and the stakeholders with their comments. We must find a way to bring all that together. Some communities are connected to some departments and others to other departments. So, with the current process, we are definitely going to have to try to bring the two together at the same time.

You also said that, in terms of the five-year timeline, it is appropriate to start the study at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. The department will be able to take a position. Is that too late?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

No, I think it is just the right time. We have already started listening to the communities. Some meetings are in place and others will follow. We are definitely going to pay attention to that. If we are really at the stage of analysis, of collecting data, opinions and suggestions, the completion of the study will be in sync with the agenda we are hoping to adopt for 2013, after the Roadmap.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Gourde.

Mr. Bélanger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In terms of the latest demolinguistic data, under the third item, you are talking about less than 2% of the population in the 10 other provinces and territories. Could you please give us more details about Manitoba and the Yukon, please? I think the percentage is over 2%.

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

Okay. I can provide you with a very detailed chart for each province.

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

Yes, since it is misleading.

What is the percentage for Quebec anglophones? You indicated the percentages for everywhere else, but not for them.

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

Okay. We will send you some additional information on this.

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

Thank you.

Could you give us the deadline for the summative evaluations?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

Yes.

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

Do the summative evaluations for the 15 departments have to be done by a certain date?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

They have to be done by February-March 2012. So there is a floating period between projects. In terms of the current state of affairs, all the departments are finishing up the planning of the evaluation. There are three standard stages for evaluations: planning, collecting data, and drafting the report.

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

Are the communities going to participate in these evaluations?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

We are checking now, but the communities are usually called upon to share their views when data are collected.

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

You are saying that they are often called, but you are not saying that they are going to be this time. Are they going to be called?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

The evaluator decides on the methodology for each evaluation. Now that the planning of the evaluations is over, I am going to check whether they...

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

Is the methodology ready for all of them?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

All but two.

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

Could you tell me what the methodology is for the 13 evaluations that are ready?

[Jean-Pierre Gauthier]

I got them on Friday.

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

May I have them?