Official Languages Committee on March 21st, 2017

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you.

Mr. Généreux and Mr. Choquette, you can each ask a question.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I'll follow up on what Mr. Arseneault said.

I think you must conduct this survey. You must also follow up to make sure the 338 members have answered the questions. The Standing Committee on Official Languages must obtain an accurate picture. Based on that picture, we could take measures or ask you to take measures to increase—

We must understand that the public sees us as ambassadors for all sorts of issues. The same is true for official languages. As members of the official languages committee, obviously, we're immersed in the issue, and we promote bilingualism. However, the other members aren't necessarily drawn to the issue. It's not a matter of relevance or perseverance. Obviously, all members have their own issues.

Our country is bilingual, and we want to promote the two official languages. As members, we must be ambassadors of bilingualism, or at least show an interest in bilingualism. Obviously, we can't force our respective caucuses to take an interest in the other official language, but we can certainly draw attention to the issue. The political parties have work to do in this regard, and they can draw attention to the issue. However, we don't have data, if I may say so—

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

—incentives.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Can the committee officially ask our witnesses to make this effort? We don't need a motion for this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Mr. Parent, did you hear our colleague's request?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

You said you have the tools to do it.

[Pierre Parent]

Yes, we have the tools.

It's a bit more difficult to conduct follow-ups because we need to proceed member by member. I need to verify the situation from a technical standpoint. I know there's electronic identification for members. I'll talk about it with my colleague who works with the information systems. Regardless, the technology enables us to conduct this type of survey.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

We could each talk about it with our colleagues and with our parties' caucus chairs. I happen to be a caucus chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Mr. Parent, can the information be sent to the clerk so that we can discuss it?

Mr. Choquette, you can ask a question.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I just want to follow up on this response.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Pardon me?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I want to follow up on the question asked by Mr. Généreux and focus on what he said.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Mr. Samson, you have the floor.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

If we could send the party leaders data on how many members in their caucus are bilingual or unilingual, the leaders could then promote bilingualism. That's all.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you.

Mr. Choquette, you can ask a question.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Before asking my question, I want to mention that we must, as Mr. Généreux said, promote the importance of the two official languages and bilingualism. Official language communities must be represented, protected and promoted across Canada.

However, I don't think all members need to be bilingual. We mirror our society and community. It's normal to have unilingual people on both sides. However, everyone must be informed about the two official languages.

Is raising awareness of the official languages' importance part of your mandate, or is that not the case at all?

[Pierre Parent]

We raise awareness internally, within the administration. I'm also responsible for the House administration employees. As part of our mandate, we must inform our 1,800 employees, who are there to serve you, about the importance of the official languages. However, outside our organization, with regard to the members, it becomes more difficult. The members are independent. You're parliamentarians.

I haven't been given the specific mandate to do this promotion. We do it indirectly through the language training program.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I see that it's noon. We'll end on that note.

On behalf of all of us, I want to thank Mr. Parent and Ms. Maimone. You gave excellent presentations and you provided good information. It's certainly very important to promote the bilingualism of members.

We'll suspend the sitting for a few minutes.

[The committee continued in camera.]