Official Languages Committee on April 16th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We have an amendment in front of us to add the word “clearly”.

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

In English it would be before the verb, but in French it would be after the verb.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I understand.

The amendment is to add the word “clearly” before the word “understand”.

The proposed amendment would be to add the "clairement" in French after the word "comprendre" in clause 2.

Is there any debate on this amendment that's now in front of the committee?

Mr. Benskin.

[Tyrone Benskin, NDP, Jeanne-Le Ber, QC]

Just for clarification, it's to be able to clearly speak and understand?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

No. The amendment would be to add the word “clearly” before the word “understand”. So it would read “be able to speak and clearly understand”.

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

It is not the same in French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

In French, the word "clairement" would be added after the word "comprendre".

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

It is clearer in French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

It would therefore read "de parler et de comprendre clairement les deux langues officielles".

So we have an amendment.

Monsieur Dion.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

I would like to ask Mr. Galipeau to make the English consistent with the French.

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

It is clearer in French. First of all, I spoke in French. Consequently, it is clearer in French than in English. The English interpretation that I just heard is not as clear. So we have to make sure that this point is addressed in the language in which the discussion took place. Then, when the drafters write it in English, they will have to make sure it is consistent with the French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I've just consulted with the legislative clerk, and I'm going to propose that the English portion of the amendment put the word “clearly” after the word “understand” so that it modifies both “speak” and “understand”. That makes it consistent with the French amendment.

Therefore, in English the phrase would read “be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages”.

In French, the phrase would read "de parler et de comprendre clairement les deux langues officielles".

We have the amendment in front of us. Is there any debate on the amendment as has been proposed in both languages?

Monsieur Dion.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

As I said earlier, I am always in favour of clarity.

[Some hon. members]

Oh oh!

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

I would simply like to congratulate Mr. Galipeau on that effort at improvement.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Trottier.

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

In the English version it's wise to put it after the word “understand”, because it would be a cardinal sin to split the infinitive.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Chisu.

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

Just for clarification, what do you mean by “clearly”? What is the definition? What do you mean by “clearly”? That's what I am asking.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Do we have a dictionary in here?

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

You know, the notion is “clearly”, and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Chisu. We'll endeavour to get you a dictionary answer.

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

Yes, absolutely.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Strahl.