Official Languages Committee on March 9th, 2016

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.

On the agenda

Review of the Status of Official Languages in Minority Settings across Canada

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Dan Lamoureux President, Quebec Community Groups Network

Sylvia Martin-Laforge Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network

Sylviane Lanthier Chair, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada

Suzanne Bossé Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada

5:30 p.m.

Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada

Suzanne Bossé

I was referring to the regulation regarding the application of part IV of the Official Languages Act, which defines how the number of francophones is calculated. The enforcement of that regulation costs every federal institution hundreds of thousands of dollars. After the census, it can take up to three years to apply the results. It is very costly.

And the fact that we function according to predefined numbers or regions means that some emerging communities may be missed. Because of immigration, some very new communities in western Canada need access to French schools, but they cannot obtain French services from the federal government because they are not located in one of the geographic areas defined by that regulation. That is why Senator Chaput's bill is so important.

I don't know if I've answered your question.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS

Yes. The issue is important.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative John Nater

I thank the witnesses.

Mr. Vandal would like to move a motion.

Is the committee in agreement?

5:30 p.m.

An hon. member

Agreed.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB

Suzanne and Sylviane, thank you very much for your presentation. I will see you again in Ottawa in two weeks.

I would like to move that we invite the Minister responsible for Official Languages to come and meet with us on April 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. so that she may share her vision and ideas on these matters with us.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

We should specify that this is the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative John Nater

That is confirmed for April 20.

Mr. Choquette, you have the floor.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

When we receive the minister or other ministers, it would really be important that the meeting be televised. We rarely have that opportunity in this committee. I would like us to make an effort to reserve a room where the meeting could be televised.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative John Nater

It will be.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

May we have a reply from the clerk on that? Will the meeting be televised?

It will be. Very good. Thank you very much.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative John Nater

The meeting is adjourned.