Official Languages Committee on Oct. 27th, 2016

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

I would like to congratulate you, because that is very important.

I am going to continue and ask one last question.

Work has been done on the census, but two or three essential questions need to be added, in order to properly identify minorities from one end of Canada to the other. I am prepared to work with people in your department to study those questions.

Some questions do not provide enough information. We cannot determine which people are bilingual, are francophones or are francophiles. It is very important to have that information.

I do not know what the best structure would be for doing that, but it is essential to examine it. I think I understand that you are already working on these questions.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Thank you.

I am pleased that we will be working on this question, Mr. Samson. Our decisions are always based on the information available to us. If we can do a better job of gathering that information, it will certainly help us make better decisions.

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

I have to say that the four themes are interesting. Immigration, infrastructure, the media and education are very interesting themes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you.

I would like to as a question before concluding.

In the departments, there are branches that deal with the Francophonie. There are branches in the Justice Department, Treasury Board, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, and so on.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Do you mean official languages?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

That is right, I meant official languages.

Do you think a coordination mechanism might be useful and could make it possible to reach all of these departments, so that everyone was working in the same direction? One minister could be responsible. Why not you? The coordination mechanism could provide for regular meetings to make sure that the official languages are being respected throughout the apparatus of government, and to ensure that everyone is going in the same direction.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Yes. I think that is already the case. I do this with my colleagues. I am working very hard with my parliamentary secretary on this question.

In addition, my officials are ensuring that contacts are made with the various departments. If you have any proposals, I would always be interested in studying them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you, Minister.

Before concluding, Mrs. Boucher has asked me to give her the floor for a few minutes.

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

I would like to do something I do not usually do, especially when it is someone from another party, but sometimes we have to recognize people who distinguish themselves.

I would like us to congratulate Darrell Samson on being awarded the 2016 Prix Edgar-Gallant. If you are looking for an official languages champion, I think the fact that Mr. Samson has won an award cannot be ignored.

Congratulations, Mr. Samson. I think everyone here congratulates you on this fine award.

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

Thank you.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We are proud of you, Mr. Samson.

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

You must be very proud. Now, I hope this fine award will teach you to speak French.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

Hear, hear!

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

Congratulations.

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

Thank you. That is very kind of you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you very much and congratulations, Mr. Samson, on behalf of everyone on the committee.

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

I should get a bottle of wine or a gift.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

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

I will buy you a coffee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Minister, thank you very much for making your presentation and answering questions.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Thanks to all of you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will suspend for a few minutes. The people with you will be staying with us and will be here for the second hour.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Perfect, thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will suspend for a few minutes.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I call the meeting back to order.

Messrs. Lussier and Gauthier, I believe you have no special presentation to make to us and will simply be answering questions.