Evidence of meeting #48 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 questions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
12:35 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
I think that if there are 50 questions and three are added, I won't die if I have to answer those too. If I am asked three or four more questions in the short-form census, that won't kill me either. I filled out the short form and it took me less than 30 seconds.
It's so easy on line. It takes very little time. I don't think we should get tripped up with false problems. We have to consider that aspect with a lot of openness of mind, and ask ourselves what the purpose of the census is, what its purpose should be, and why we would ask these questions.
The language questions we are asking them to add would be there to serve extremely important purposes regarding the future of minority francophone communities. These data will allow us to know who we are, where we are, and how many of us there are. We will be able to know what we can do for the people who depend on us to provide services that meet their needs.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I agree with you. It helps us to plan and to know where we're going.
12:35 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP François Choquette
Thank you, Ms. Lapointe.
We'll now move on to Ms. Boucher, who will share her time with Mr. Généreux.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll play devil's advocate. The conservative in me will express herself.
I don't disagree with everything said today. On the contrary, I would say that francophone communities outside Quebec need good tools and accurate data to move forward.
With all due respect, Mr. Boileau, I do have some difficulty accepting that certain requests you have just made involve the provinces. Some provinces, and I won't name them, resist federal intervention. What should we do if a number of provincial governments don't want us to negotiate directly with the school boards? You're aware of this reality.
Let's talk about Quebec, since it's my province. If the federal government gives money to Quebec, it won't ask the province where the money will be invested, because the province will categorically refuse to respond.
Some provincial jurisdictions are being encroached upon. It's not a good idea to antagonize the provinces to promote the French fact outside Quebec.
As the federal government, without encroaching on provincial jurisdictions, what would be the best way to avoid antagonizing the provinces, to move forward with them and to have them as partners in the future?
12:35 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Ms. Boucher, you said that you were speaking to Mr. Boileau.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
I'm sorry. My question was for you, Mr. Power.
12:35 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Okay. I just wanted to clarify that.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Sorry. The question is for you, Mr. Power.
12:35 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Okay.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
12:35 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Ms. Boucher, your question isn't too troubling, despite the fact that you're playing devil's advocate.
The census is a federal government matter. The census is sent to the households of individuals.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
The federal government counts rights holders in Ontario or Quebec the same way it counts F-38s in Bagotville or Cold Lake. The matter falls under federal jurisdiction. The provinces have nothing to do with it. The fact that the federal government counts the number of rights holders doesn't mean it then forces a department of education to build schools. The department of education is responsible for building the schools, and when it doesn't do so, a judge may get involved.
I may have missed the meaning of your question, Ms. Boucher.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Yes.
Earlier, you told Ms. Lapointe that the best approach would be to give money directly to the school boards. However, when money is given to provinces or school boards for education, it falls under provincial jurisdiction.
12:40 p.m.
Partner and Sessional Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
I see.
12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
Can I answer your question?
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
What should be understood—and Mr. Power will correct me if I'm wrong—is that we're talking here specifically about federal money sent to the provinces for minority language education.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
That's also what I'm talking about.
12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
Okay.
In some cases, provinces use the money for—
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
They use it for other purposes.
12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
They use it for purposes other than the intended purposes.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
I completely agree.
12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA)
We're saying this should be fixed. This is part of the tools to consider. We want to know the tools needed to have an impact. We must make sure the provinces invest the money where it should be used.