Evidence of meeting #62 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 ontario.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
It was staff from the Minister of Justice.
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
It was late April, I think. I don't have the exact date.
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
I think so, yes...that my name was going to be put forward. They didn't tell me that I was going to be appointed.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
I understand that there is a process.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
During the months since you left the provincial legislature, you mentioned that you had conversations with Gerald Butts. Were there others you had conversations with, such as Katie Telford or Matthew Mendelsohn?
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
11:45 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
No.
Yes, I had a coffee with Katie and I was asking her if I could offer my service to serve Canadians. There was no retroaction about what...but just that I'd like to continue to serve.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Do you know if most candidates for the official languages commissioner had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Butts and Ms. Telford?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
I don't know because I don't know who else applied.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
How many interviews did you go through leading up to the appointment?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
I went through two interviews.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
On the first panel, there were 10 people. I think most of them were civil servants. There was a representative from the Department of Canadian Heritage and one representative from the office of the premier ministre.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
In the days and weeks since you've officially been nominated, has there been someone at the Prime Minister's Office who has been advising you on the process?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
Le Conseil privé. They advised me on the process, that I would need to come before this committee and then the Senate before my appointment would be confirmed.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
You mentioned that you'd like to make your first visit to Quebec after you're appointed. Do you plan to take a number of trips across Canada?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
Yes, indeed. I know the francophone communities outside of Quebec, but I cannot say that I know every one. I met them when I was the minister and we had these FPT meetings across the provinces, changing provinces every time. I am so impressed to see that though they are a small percentage of the community, they're so vibrant. I know less of the core of the anglophone community, which is in Montreal, in Quebec. I know that there is, monsieur le président, a large anglophone community in your area, so I want to make sure that I get to know them.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
I guess my follow-up to that is this. Do you consider this to be a full-time position? Will you be undertaking this as a full-time position?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
Of course.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
I know that when you resigned as an MPP, you said you wanted to spend more time with your family and to be closer to home. That seems at odds with undertaking a seven-year appointment as an active Commissioner of Official Languages. On the one hand, you're saying that you want to spend more time with your family. On the other hand, you're undertaking a very exciting position. Can you reconcile that for me?
11:50 a.m.
Nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, As an Individual
When I resigned, yes, I wanted to spend more time with my family, especially since my husband was going through a difficult and challenging health situation. He has recovered fully now, so I'm very pleased. It's going to be full time, and you will see. I always had three jobs. I was an MPP, I was Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and I always had another ministry. I think I have fulfilled all these responsibilities. I was often out visiting communities, especially the francophone community. It's a small community, and it's not as easy as going to Montreal or to Toronto because of the flights and all of that. I spent a lot of time travelling to small communities. I miss that, and I want it to continue.