Evidence of meeting #52 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 french.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Regarding the question put by Mr. Samson, I believe that the costs must now be covered from members' office budgets, but this has not caused discouragement.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
That concerned the assistants.
Liberal
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Yes.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
So for the members themselves, there is no difference.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Correct.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
The demand for training remains generally the same.
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
In the members' case the training is paid out of a central budget, so there is no problem. A member's personal budget is affected only if there is a cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice, or if a situation that is unrelated to parliamentary activities occurs, or events out of the control of the member arise.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Perhaps you have already answered this question, but I would like to know whether, from the inception of these services, you have noticed an increase or a stagnation in demand. I'd like to know which. I know that the demand increases after an election and goes down after that.
Since the second language training service has been in effect, have you seen an increase in the demand?
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
I haven't conducted any specific analyses on this subject. I'm speaking from memory, but if we had to establish a curve for the members—
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
There was an increase following the election.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
There was an increase over the years, despite the fact that the number of seats increased?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Yes.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
My next question is a bit more specific.
I'm described as bilingual, but I refuse de call myself that. I don't speak very fluently in English. I don't speak English as comfortably as I speak French.
For the classification test, you need to determine where to place the candidates.
How many classification levels are there?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
The teacher assigned to the member gives the member the classification test or talks to the member to establish the course. For group language training, there are three beginner levels, three intermediate levels, two advanced levels, and development and retention courses.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I may be wrong, but I imagine that members want to learn the second language first and foremost to be able to communicate orally.
Nonetheless, are there members who refer to themselves as bilingual—and who may be bilingual from an oral perspective—but who want to improve their writing skills?
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Yes, there are. However, the goal of the training is to improve all their skills, meaning both their oral and writing skills. With beginners in particular, we need to work right from the start on all components, including oral skills, grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation. With a more advanced member, we can work on one skill in particular, such as writing, speaking or comprehension.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
You simply need to contact our office. We'll organize the course immediately.
Chief, Official Languages, Language Training and Assessment Centre, House of Commons
Absolutely.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Should the members be surveyed to check whether they've ever considered taking a second language course?
From what I can see, it's very easy and positive.
Since I haven't used this service, I'm a bit ignorant. However, I have the impression that I would benefit from using it.
Have you surveyed each member and office, one by one?
If not, should you do so?
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
We haven't done so for a number of reasons, but we have the necessary tools. We could easily send out a survey containing three or four questions. However, in my experience, given the large number of members, it's always difficult to obtain responses.
Liberal
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
I won't comment on that. However, since you're very busy, it's difficult to reach you.
If the committee were to ask us to conduct a survey of this nature, we could do so. We could ask a few questions to determine, for example, whether people know about the House's language training program; whether they consider themselves bilingual; and whether they think they're at an advanced, intermediate or other level.