Official Languages Committee on May 30th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I am Denis Paradis, the chair of this committee.

We again have some bad news to share. As we speak, the bells calling us to vote have started ringing. We are therefore bound to suspend the meeting to vote. I just wanted to let you know and apologize in advance on the committee's behalf. I realize this isn't our first attempt to hear from you, so we will do our best to make it up because we realize how vital your input is to our study.

I want to do it with you live.

Would anyone else care to comment?

Mr. Clarke, did you have something to add?

[Alupa Clarke, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good afternoon, ladies.

On behalf of the members of the official opposition who sit on the committee, I want to say how much we were looking forward to hearing what you had to say. We heard from your counterparts on the same issue two weeks ago, and we have some serious concerns. We are very sorry, but we are being called to discharge our democratic duty, which is, nevertheless, a wonderful thing. Is it not? We appreciate your efforts to be here today, and we hope you will be able to do so again when the committee meets next.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you, Mr. Clarke.

Mr. Arseneault, you may go ahead.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Good afternoon ladies, and thank you for being here. Again, please accept our apologies, but duty calls.

As a member from New Brunswick whose spouse graduated from the Université de Moncton's nursing school, I care deeply about this issue. I am eager to speak with you and hear what you have to say, especially the Nurses Association of New Brunswick. Unfortunately, it will have to wait.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you very much for making yourselves available, and, on the committee's behalf, I again want to extend our sincere apologies.

[Janet Anderson, Chief Quality Officer, College of Nurses of Ontario]

Thank you.

[Anne Coghlan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, College of Nurses of Ontario]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

The committee will resume its study on Monday, in order to conclude its report. Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.