Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome, everyone.
Mr. Théberge, welcome to this first meeting of our committee in your official role.
My questions pertain to the third priority on your list. I see there are three priorities. They should be put in order on paper, but I think the third priority should be the first one. It is to “call for the government to undertake a meaningful modernization of the Official Languages Act”.
I would like to talk about part VII of the act. When I ask questions, I always have Justice Gascon's decision in the back of my mind, a decision that hurts minority communities.
How can part VII of the Official Languages Act be reconciled with its modernization? Part VII refers to the “Advancement of English and French” in Canadian society, and not to federal institutions. Their linguistic obligations are well described.
What about promoting the official languages in Canadian society? I am referring to subsections 41.1 and 41.2. They mention respecting provincial jurisdiction.
How can that be reconciled with the modernization of the act?