Official Languages Committee on Dec. 11th, 2018

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

In February?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

As soon as we return from adjournment for the end of the year holidays.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

That's in February, Mr. Chair.

I would remind you that the deadline for the university is January 15. That's when everyone will be shown the door if they haven't been already. We have to act fast.

We could try to convene tomorrow. Is there a way to reflect that in the report we are tabling? We could finalize the report remotely by teleconference. I think we have to act immediately. I know that Christmas is coming, but today is December 11 and we have eight days left.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Let me go back a bit. We will now vote on the amendment. Does everyone agree on the amendment?

I see we have unanimous agreement.

(Amendment adopted)

Mr. Choquette, you have the floor.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I would like to support Mr. Généreux's proposal that we bring in these witnesses on Thursday, but that may be impossible. I believe it is worth a try, as Mr. Généreux says. This is a crisis, an unprecedented extreme situation. Such a situation calls for exceptional measures. Let's try to meet on Thursday if possible. I realize that such a short deadline is unrealistic, but if we don't try we'll never know.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I also agree with Mr. Généreux on the exceptional need to have a teleconference to speed up the process since time is against us. January 15 is fast approaching. I support Mr. Généreux's proposal to act as quickly as possible to advance this file. This is an extremely important issue that affects us. We have seen Canadians stand together over this across the country, including in Quebec. Let us also stand together and do whatever we can.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay.

I understand that adding Thursday, December 13 constitutes an amendment.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Christine Holke]

Yes, we have to vote on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Do we all agree on Thursday, December 13, if possible?

Mr. Samson, you have the floor.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I have no problem with us getting their testimony this evening or tomorrow, but I'm wondering what our objective is. What will we do after their testimony? Personally, I would prefer that we write a report, but that report will not be submitted before the end of January.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Our analyst is in the process of drafting a report.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Is it a formal report?

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

Yes, but it needs to be approved.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Indeed. A special teleconference needs to be organized. She will send us a draft copy of the report by email. We will all read it and ask questions and then come up with our final report. In any case, most of the report will be on the witnesses' comments and suggestions. This will be included in the findings, where we will state what needs to be don in two or three recommendations. Our analyst is not preparing a 45-page report.

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

Ideally this would be finished before Christmas.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

If we don't do this before Christmas, honourable colleagues, we will truly come across as people who aren't taking this matter seriously.

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

Perhaps we could meet on Thursday.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

If anyone can't make it on Thursday, a replacement will be found.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Let's be practical and realistic. We will definitely not be able to table our report before Parliament adjourns for the holidays this week.

Let's get back to the amendment that proposes December 13.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I wasn't finished. We could hold a special meeting in January and come back here for a day or two if necessary.

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

Exactly, but it has to be before January 15.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I'm still open to that, but we have to have a strategy otherwise we might miss our mark.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Okay.

Does Thursday, December 13, if possible, work for most people?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Not for me.