Evidence of meeting #5 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 community.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Right now, our greatest expectation is to be able to make a real contribution to every step of the next roadmap, as well as evaluate every step of the current roadmap. In other words, we want to help evaluate current measures in order to shape the next roadmap.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
As far as evaluation is concerned, is that how it worked the last time around?
Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Actually, the last time, we were thrilled because the FCFA was consulted on the development of the indicators for evaluation and on the evaluation method. This time, however, there was no consultation.
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
It wasn't done.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
It wasn't done.
Very well.
We'll take that under advisement. Thank you.
And now, very quickly, for my third question. As regards the mandates of the ministers responsible for the various portfolios that concern you, is there anything specific that could be done to better meet the needs you described?
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
We care about anything having to do with full implementation of the Official Languages Act. As we mentioned in our remarks, we feel very strongly about the need for the government to truly implement part VII, the part of the act addressing the vitality and development of our communities. We believe that the spotlight needs to once again be on community vitality and development. That objective should underlie all government efforts in the next few years to implement the Official Languages Act. Services are also important, but community vitality is something we are passionate about. With that in mind, we would be in favour of anything in the ministerial mandate letters to support francophone communities and capacity building.
Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
I would add two departments, as far as that matter goes.
When it comes to Treasury Board, it would be wonderful if you could make sure that all of its policies took the Official Languages Act into account, which is not currently the case. The program evaluation policy is completely silent on the act. For example, francophone immigration does not appear anywhere in the objectives.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
My fourth question is a very important one. It has to do with the federal census.
One is currently in the works, but we need to work on the next one, which will probably be in 2021. What are your thoughts on a more in-depth analysis of the issues? I'm not sure that the census will provide us with the information on our communities that we want.
Could you kindly tell me where you stand on that?
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
That's a great question, Mr. Samson. We were just talking about that this afternoon, pointing to the need to revisit the definitions of the terms “francophone” and “francophonie”, to give them common meanings that make sense. That includes for the census.
Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
I applaud you for raising the language issues as they were one of the FCFA's concerns during the last census.
As regards the exercise in 2021, it's clear that we need a post-census survey, something that was done a number of years ago. That's information that we are sorely lacking and that would help us build a detailed profile of small communities.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
In three words, how would you describe Senator Chaput's bill?
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
Pass it quickly.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Bossé and Ms. Lanthier, thank you for being with us today. I'm very happy to have you here.
The committee decided to undertake a study on immigration in official language minority communities. I think that's good news. We haven't decided when we will undertake the study but we will do so soon.
You said that you hadn't been consulted on the roadmap indicators. I know you talked to the government about that. What was its response? Are you finally going to be consulted on the indicators? Will they be changed to reflect your recommendations? What's happening right now?
Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
At the beginning of October, the FCFA was informed that the roadmap evaluation process was getting under way. The evaluation method had already been decided. A request for proposals was posted on MERX, and we weren't at all consulted.
We asked the Department of Canadian Heritage for a meeting with its evaluation managers, which we had in November, I believe. At that time, we learned that the indicators for all programs delivered under the roadmap had been defined in the fall of 2013 when submissions were made to Treasury Board.
Not a single organization from the country's francophonie, not even the FCFA, was consulted to help identify the method for determining whether roadmap initiatives met their objectives. We are talking about the department responsible for implementing part VII of the Official Languages Act and ensuring coordination across all departments. The department made no effort to ensure that the objectives and obligations of the act were met.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I hope that the government paid attention to your concerns and that you will be consulted when the time comes to review the indicators for compliance with part VII of the act and so forth.
I have many questions, but since I'm short on time, I'm going to focus on the translation bureau.
We are currently doing a brief study on the future of the translation bureau. As you know, the bureau has been using attrition to reduce the size of its workforce since 2011-12 and has lost numerous translators. We learned that the bureau intends to implement a controversial new automatic translation tool on April 1.
You spoke of the importance of implementing the Official Languages Act and doing things the right way. Given that people have the right to work in the language of their choice and that most translations are from English to French, what's your reaction to the decisions made by the translation bureau? Do you have any thoughts, opinions, or recommendations regarding the translation bureau's staffing cuts or its planned April 1 installation of a translation software tool on the computers of all public servants?
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
We haven't talked much about that thus far, but it's an excellent question.
Both official languages should be on equal footing. We should be very cautious about any measures that diminish the status of French and ensure that we aren't about to embark on a path that diminishes the importance of the French language. I'm not so sure that the translation bureau is sending a very positive message about the value of French as an official language.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you.
The justice committee is currently studying access to justice in both official languages. You may have been invited to appear or you no doubt will be.
It's an issue that's very dear to my heart, as it was for my former colleague Yvon Godin. He did a lot of work in that area, repeatedly introducing a bill requiring Supreme Court justices to speak both official languages, to make sure official language minority communities had equal access to justice.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the principle behind his bill.
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
We have long supported the principle of official language minority communities having the right to express themselves, as well as be heard and understood, in their official language when appearing before a judge. We think it's a wonderful bill and sincerely hope it will be passed.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you very much.
I have very little time left.
Are you going to be able to return to Destination Canada?
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
That would be great. Destination Canada gave us a gateway into source countries, enabling us to reach out to people wanting to come to Canada to live. We were able to let them know that our official language communities existed and could offer them a hospitable place to live, and that we could accommodate them.
Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
In losing Destination Canada, we lost the only marketing tool that gave us that kind of exposure.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative John Nater
Thank you, Mr. Choquette.
Mr. Vandal, you have six minutes. Please go ahead.