Official Languages Committee on Oct. 6th, 2016

[Bintou Sacko]

As I said, current recruitment efforts are very much focused on France and Belgium, on European countries. Even though we have received the representatives of the embassies of Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, we have not done any promotion in those countries to recruit potential immigrants.

When I talked about expanding the pool, I was thinking of the Maghreb, which should now be our focal point, and the francophone region of West Africa, which is really very francophone and where there are a lot of educated people. They could be excellent candidates for Canada.

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

Thank you.

I am going to come back and ask you to look at your list and tell us some good things, suggestions or things that should be improved with respect to the roadmap 2008-2013. That would be very interesting. Our time being what it is, we have not been able to look at all that.

[Bintou Sacko]

Exactly. I will be pleased to do that.

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

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

That brings this first part of the meeting to an end.

Ms. Sacko, thank you very much for contributing to the proceedings of our committee. We wish you good luck.

A few people have asked that we discuss the committee's business. We can devote 10 minutes or so to that.

Ms. Boucher, you have the floor.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

We made a request concerning French tests some two weeks ago, and have since heard no news on the subject, I would like to know where matters stand. This is very important for me.

In addition, every time we ask a question, I see that the roadmap and immigration blend into each other. Some of us are a bit confused.

Are we covering only the roadmap, only immigration, or both? Yes, the remarks touch on the roadmap, but I see that virtually all our questions focus on immigration.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Mr. Vandal, you have the floor.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I noted that Ms. Sacko was not at all prepared to discuss the roadmap.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

No, not at all.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I believe it was just for immigration.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Are there any other comments?

Mr. Lefebvre, you have the floor.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Immigration is one of the elements of the roadmap. The vitality of our communities depends in part on education. Then there is immigration. There are several pillars.

Immigration is one of the things that concern us most and that we want to focus on, but that does not mean we cannot ask questions on the other pillars. Education and early childhood are recurring issues, even though they are provincial jurisdictions. Ontario invests large sums in the official languages in education program, but all provinces support their education system.

The subjects discussed will depend on the various witnesses that we will be hearing. Some of them will be more forthcoming or more concerned about immigration, while others will discuss education and the vitality of our communities.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I would like to go back to your first point.

Madam Clerk, do we have any information on the French test?

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

I did the necessary follow-up with the department to obtain a copy of the test, but I have not received any news. This morning, as Ms. Boucher asked me, I sent the department another email requesting an update, and I still have received nothing. I will call my parliamentary contact after the meeting and do the necessary follow-up.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Yes, Mr. Arsenault?

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

Can the chair summon the bureau—

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will let the clerk make a final attempt.

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

We can make a third polite approach, but after that—

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I will intervene.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

This is important because everyone tells us it is very difficult. Once again this morning, a large percentage of immigrants were rejected because they did not pass the test, the passmark of which is 80%. You have to consider that they are still immigrants.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will ask the clerk to make an extra effort, and if that does not work, I will intervene.

Are there any other comments?

Mr. Samson, you have the floor.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

When we began this process, we gave ourselves four or five final meetings in which to address immigration. Then we began to hear groups that had enough expertise to offer opinions on both topics, but not all the groups can do that.

We should organize our next meetings on that basis. There may be a meeting where four, five or six persons discuss only immigration in the group that we have already targeted. We are not changing strategies, but we are trying to focus on one topic at a time. Otherwise we will be confused when we ask questions. The first two, three or four witnesses could speak based on their field of expertise. The list is starting to get shorter for that question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Yes, Madam Clerk?

[The Clerk]

When I send out invitations, it is very clear that we are asking them to address both topics. We are asking them to tell us if they are unable to address either of the topics or if they are reluctant to do so. That is very clear. It is even in bold letters in my invitation.

That is what I am doing now, but, if you want me to change strategies, I will be pleased to do so.

[Some hon. members]

No.