Official Languages Committee on Nov. 24th, 2016

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

After this gig, maybe.

A number of programs are there, but the challenge we have in small communities and in Canada as a whole is that we have to make it known. We don't communicate very well within ourselves as to what's available, and I think there can be more resources. If Canada truly wants to be competitive, there are things we could do differently.

On that note, Ms. Beck, I am in a rural community. It's one of the largest rural ridings in Canada. I'm in a western province, in Cariboo—Prince George, where we are seeing more and more francophone immigrants, specifically from the African countries. I'm a new MP, but the services that are available in small rural Canadian communities outside of central Canada are few and far between. I'm wondering if there is a rural Canada plan outside of central Canada, and if there are things we can do, maybe at this committee. This is the first time I've appeared here, but I can tell you that my office has been inundated. I know that the small communities—

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Can you ask a question, please?

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

I am. The small communities have been working tirelessly to do it since 1960, but they're always trying to find funds. Is there more we can do?

Also, my offer is to Ms. Irish, and hopefully the minister, to come out to my riding, because I can line up the meetings. You need to see what a rural Canadian community outside of central Canada is faced with all the time with our francophone immigrants. Is there more we can do? Are there services that I am not aware of that we can provide and tap into?

[Stefanie Beck]

I would agree that there is always more we can do. The way we encourage communities to create the welcoming environment is through.... We have programs, obviously, and money available. We do a call for proposals, not necessarily annually but regularly. Indeed, we did a big one last year, whereby the communities say they are prepared to offer these services, and they need, as you know, the array: education, languages, day care, and medical facilities. These are all things that all of us need, frankly. We provide funding to the organization that will ensure the coordination of all of those things and make sure that the newcomers get access to all of those services in the language of their choice.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

If I can, I have just a final comment—

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Sorry, Todd.

We'll go to Mr. Arseneault.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to the witnesses for being here with us today.

I am looking at the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its objectives. Obviously, these objectives are central to those you have to achieve.

Paragraphs 3(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) state the exact direction IRCC must take. Allow me to read a few of them:

(a) to permit Canada to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of immigration; (b) to enrich and strengthen the social and cultural fabric of Canadian society, while respecting the federal, bilingual and multicultural character of Canada; (b.1) to support and assist the development of minority official languages communities in Canada;

For transcription purposes, I am at subsection 3(1) in the part entitled "Objectives and Application".

I am from New Brunswick. I am part of an invisible minority because I am an old-stock North American. After 200 years of anglophones and francophones living together, we in New Brunswick came to the conclusion that the only way to protect minorities and the social fabric was to ensure that there was a duality in the most important government spheres such as education and health. I am not talking about a duality in the sense that bilingualism equals duality, but a duality in administration.

Do you know what I am talking about?

[Stefanie Beck]

Yes, absolutely.

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

Then I will be able to ask my question more quickly.

I apologize in advance. My questions will be direct and straightforward because I only have six minutes.

[Stefanie Beck]

I cannot guarantee that I can answer them.

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

To preserve Canada's social fabric and distinctive characteristic, its two official languages, should we not have that kind of duality? I think the present situation is a total failure, in any case as it pertains to francophone minorities. The objective is valid, but I do not think we have achieved it.

Do you agree with me that we could do a better job of preserving the minorities living in majority communities if the IRCC had an entirely independent office based on the concept of "by and for" the communities?

[Stefanie Beck]

That would be one option.

We have been talking about it for nearly an hour. We are concerned with immigration. We can bring in people who will go and settle in these francophone communities. To preserve what you just explained, we need all levels of government to cooperate. Of course, we are not responsible for education or health. We can bring in people who will be able to live in this kind of society.

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

I know you are promoting awareness. I cited the example of duality, and I told you how well that is working in New Brunswick.

After 200 years of anglophones and francophones living together, we came to the conclusion that we could not preserve the social fabric except by having a duality, that is to say a francophone leader who thinks for the francophone minority and an anglophone leader who does the same for the anglophone majority. That was the purpose of my question. I am not talking about giving the department more money, but about creating an independent secretariat with a leader who thinks in terms of getting things done "by and for" the minorities in majority settings.

I am also thinking of the anglophone minorities in Quebec. Organizations that represent them came and testified before us. They have the same problem as I do in New Brunswick, outside Quebec. That is what I am asking. Do you think it would be more effective if an independent secretariat like that dealt with minorities living in majority settings?

It is impossible to manage 600 integration organizations and all the departments. As my colleague Mr. Généreux told me, his business would not do well if he had to manage that many organizations. He would have to shut down before the end of the year. I am talking about efficiency and achieving objectives, what the act requires you to do.

[Stefanie Beck]

Yes, I believe that is a good option, and I will discuss it with the deputy minister.

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

I have a sub-question for you. Are there any better options?

[Stefanie Beck]

In fact, we would like to take advantage of the energy that exists across the country, including on this committee, to establish a real action plan.

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

But, madam, the energy is drowned out in a Canada from sea to sea.

[Stefanie Beck]

Yes, perhaps.

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

I repeat: we have more than 200 years' experience in this area in New Brunswick. Is there a better option than the one I am proposing to you?

[Stefanie Beck]

We can discuss it in Moncton next spring.

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

But I am asking you the question right now.

[Stefanie Beck]

In fact, it is New Brunswick that will be managing the program of the meeting.

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

New Brunswick's objectives for the francophonie are much more—

[Stefanie Beck]

Yes, and the province has many good practices that are working very well.