Evidence of meeting #18 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 commissioner.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
VIA Rail is quasi-independent since it has no competition. It could do whatever it likes. However, Air Canada has competition. So that is a little bit different, in that respect.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes.
Liberal
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Yes, if he will allow me. Thank you very much. There are many good colleagues on the Hill.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I have a few questions.
In your report, you talk about a legal void following the restructuring of Air Canada. Could you tell us a bit more?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
I will try.
Some of the features of Air Canada's new structure allow it to get around the law. That is how I understand things.
Ms. Giguère, perhaps you could provide further details.
Director and General Counsel, Legal Affairs Branch, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes.
In 2003-2004, Air Canada's structure changed considerably. Certain services that were provided by Air Canada, such as several domestic flights, were then provided by other carriers like Jazz. A lot of bases in various parts of the country were closed and are now operated by Jazz. Consequently, a certain number of employees went from Air Canada to Jazz. Pilots, baggage handlers or employees in these locations had language of work rights, which they lost because of the restructuring. The restructuring caused a legal void which we should have filled by making amendments so that these linguistic rights be kept in Air Canada's new structure.
It's the same thing for travellers. Before they had language rights by virtue of Air Canada's structure, but they lost them once the company was divided up. In 2005, following the restructuring, the government had committed to maintaining the language rights of both travellers and Air Canada employees.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Because of a structural change to the organization made at a much higher level, employees doing the same job at the same place under the same supervisor lost their right to work in French overnight.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Exactly, and that goes back to the issue of leadership and attitude.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I think it should be understood that the rules of the game have not changed when it comes to official languages. Imagine I was a plumber who had just landed a big job and I subcontracted part of the plumbing work to another company that didn't have to have the same permits or play by the same rules. That wouldn't fly. They would all be in jail.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
I'm going to steal that analogy for future use. I think it's an excellent example.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
My father was a plumber, and so is my brother. The plumbing analogy comes easily to me.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We may come back to you for a few minutes later, but right now, we're moving on to Ms. Boucher.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Good afternoon, Mr. Fraser.
I still find the situation at Air Canada shocking. Earlier, I told you that I returned to the House as an MP after four and a half years away, but it feels as though nothing has changed, especially in Air Canada's case. Ever since I've been on the Standing Committee on Official Languages, all we've heard about is Air Canada.
Mr. Samson, you're my new Yvon Godin, advocate for the French language.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
I had to tell you. It's a compliment; Mr. Godin stood up staunchly for the language and his ideas.
Mr. Fraser, I'm going to share a little anecdote with you. Two weeks ago, I travelled to Vancouver for our convention. We flew from Montreal. The flight attendants on the plane spoke only English. One of my colleagues was telling me today that he asked one of them for a glass of water, only to be told, “I'm sorry, I don't understand.” That was on a flight from Montreal to Vancouver. On the way back, the situation was the exact opposite. The flight attendants on the plane from Vancouver to Ottawa spoke three languages. The flight attendant looking after my section spoke three languages.
What needs to be done to fix the problem at Air Canada? Should we change our attitude towards the air carrier and take a more proactive approach? What do you recommend we do?
Government after government, we've seen motions put forward, bills introduced, reports submitted by you, yourself—countless steps have been taken. The sense is that, whenever we talk to Air Canada about official languages, the company feels attacked. What do you think would be the best way to work proactively with the air carrier so that it finally gets the message? Enough is enough; this has been going on for 45 years. It's high time we do something to fix the problem.
Should Air Canada be forced to pay fines? Must the government and all of Parliament impose conditions on the company and order it to comply?