Evidence of meeting #110 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was health.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
That would be great.
Do you have a comment, Ms. Castonguay Cossette?
9:40 a.m.
Administrator, Association des parents fransaskois
I had the same dream in mind. Francophone culture and pride don't depend solely on the use of French at school; they also have to be experienced outside school. I would really appreciate your assistance on this file for the benefit of our Fransaskois families.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
All right.
Mr. Kasongo, what would your general priority be?
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Collège Mathieu
My general priority would be that language clauses be included in federal-provincial agreements. As for accountability, the language clauses must have more teeth.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
9:40 a.m.
Manager, Accountability, Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan
I won't repeat what has already been said. I think I mentioned at the start of my remarks that language clauses were very important. They address situations that often cause frustration in our communities. I also agree that the act should be modernized, but it should be made more fluid?
9:45 a.m.
Manager, Accountability, Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan
I would like us to be able to understand what the act says. It shouldn't be drafted in legal jargon that requires us to consult a lawyer so we can understand what it says.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
9:45 a.m.
Chair, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
I was looking at Mr. Arseneault when Mr. N'Goandi mentioned lawyers.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
He's a lawyer, and this is complicated even for him.
9:45 a.m.
Chair, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
On top of everything else.
As you said, we at the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises want to address the legislative problem from a structural standpoint.
9:45 a.m.
Chair, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
It's simple. On the one hand, we have a constitution that provides that school boards and communities must manage their own linguistic and cultural issues. On the other hand, we have bilateral and other agreements whose implementation clearly violates the object of section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
9:45 a.m.
Chair, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
To my mind, the fact that two government authorities negotiate and decide in our stead, without consulting us, is a problem. Once that situation is resolved, we can sit around the table and solve the problem of allocating funding. However, we can't discuss reopening the constitution today.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I'd like to, but that really is impossible.
Pardon me for interrupting, but I absolutely want to hear from the last few witnesses. We were talking about mandatory consultations.
9:45 a.m.
Chair, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
I agree that modernizing the act must include recognition of our full management right. The rest will be resolved once that's in place.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I see.
Ms. Leis and Ms. Baudemont, do you have any comments?
9:45 a.m.
President, Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan
I agree with everything you've said.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Pardon me for interrupting, madame.
I simply want to clarify a point. Every speaker has approximately six minutes to make personal remarks, ask questions and give answers. If everyone is to be able to speak, I would ask you all to shorten your remarks.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Chair, I understand that, but please allow me to repeat my questions to the witnesses.
I'm asking our witnesses to state their general priorities. I understand all their grievances, their sadness and their frustration. We can't require the provincial government to do anything. However, I want to hear what they expect from the federal government, what general priority they would like to see included in the act.
9:45 a.m.
Frédérique Baudemont Executive Director, Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan
Our fundamental priority is that the act become prescriptive and not remain merely an encouraging pat on the back. I'm thinking in particular of Canadian Heritage's role, which is currently limited to creating awareness, to prodding ministers who are making little effort.
9:45 a.m.
Executive Director, Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan
Apart from federal-provincial agreements, I also want to talk about the whole interdepartmental component and Canadian Heritage's role in that regard. The other departments must understand their responsibilities, and I'm talking here about all departments, not just a few.