Evidence of meeting #67 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 communities.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Do you have any other suggestions?
11:45 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
We could certainly provide you with a list of potential witnesses. It goes without saying that community representatives would be key players.
In addition, the Senate committee is currently hearing from young Canadians to find out what they think of the Official Languages Act, how they see themselves as Canadians, and what it means to them.
The committee should also seriously consider inviting experts in various sectors, including social media, machine translation, and, of course, legal stakeholders. Ultimately, many experts could cover a wide array of issues. We could get a list to you.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
You mentioned social media. Clearly, when the act was introduced a half-century ago, there was no such thing as the Internet. We live in a vastly different time.
I'm going to play the committee spokesperson for a moment and ask you whether you could provide us with some sort of work plan, so that we don't neglect to examine all the aspects of the act we should. You strike me as the right person to give us a work plan we could build on.
I'd also like to ask you whether certain aspects of the act merit special attention to make sure we move it in the right direction. You mentioned social media, but do any other specific areas come to mind?
11:50 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Part III of the act, which deals with the administration of justice, definitely stands out. You probably remember we tabled a report before Parliament on the publication of court decisions online.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
11:50 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
That consideration has to be taken into account, in our view.
At the same time, it's important to revisit the exclusion in that same part of the act exempting Supreme Court judges from having to be bilingual.
On the service front, our office and Canada's airport authorities disagree. In their eyes, their role is limited to providing service to the travelling public. As we see it, however, they have a duty to the general public.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Is that the kind of issue you could help us address by including it in your submission to the committee? It could be said that you deal with the application of the Official Languages Act on a daily basis, so you are no doubt well-suited to shed light on the different possible interpretations of the act. We could invite witnesses on both sides of the issue. It could be quite useful.
I'm curious as to whether you think the updated version of the Official Languages Act should have more teeth, more enforcement powers, for example? Air Canada and other institutions have trouble meeting the requirements of the act. In previous reports, the former commissioner, Mr. Fraser, said that the act wasn't strong enough, that it lacked the teeth to impose fines or enforcement measures.
Should the updated act go as far as to include powers that would meet your needs as commissioner?
11:50 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
That's something we will certainly be looking at as part of our study. Some officers of Parliament have the kinds of powers you're referring to and can impose penalties or fines, while others do not. That could be something the committee may wish to explore.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Could the commissioner's authority be something that the updated act addresses?
11:50 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Yes, that is something that could be included in the updated act. It would be up to Parliament to decide whether the commissioner needs more authority, given the feedback you will have received.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Very good.
Lastly, I'd like you to provide us with the names of potential witnesses, as well as possible interpretations of the act in various fields, to help us make sure we propel the act in the right direction.
11:50 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
All right.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you very much, Mr. Généreux.
Ms. Lapointe and Mr. Samson will be sharing their speaking time.
We'll begin with Ms. Lapointe to make sure we have some time left for Mr. Samson.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
That's right. Otherwise, my colleague tends to monopolize the speaking time.
What type of approach does the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages take in measuring official languages results? Is it a horizontal approach, where you compare results, or do you treat the institution as a separate organization that should be responsible for official languages?
I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.
11:55 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Are you talking about governance?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I'm talking about governance and results. Is there a particular approach that makes it easier to achieve official languages objectives?
11:55 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
I don't know whether it's a better approach or just a way of working, but I believe in a horizontal approach. Every institution that is responsible for a part of the current Official Languages Act has acquired expertise in that area. If they all worked together horizontally, they could certainly produce results. Coordination and different positions are sometimes challenges, but as long as a dialogue and cooperation exist, very positive results can be achieved.
I don't prefer one particular approach. I tend to focus on the different players and their objectives; that is what matters. If they have a common objective, they should be able to achieve meaningful results.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you.
I have time for another question before I turn the floor over to my colleague.
In your opening remarks, you called the results encouraging, and said that the people you consulted appreciated the work of the commissioner's office and wanted you to do more. What do you mean by “more”?
11:55 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
It can mean many things. Generally speaking, people like our tools. We have held consultations on four aspects: our audits and audit follow-ups, our annual reports, our promotional tools, and our performance report cards and observation exercises, which we usually do, but not this year. People had positive things to say about all these tools.
When I talk about doing more, I'm thinking of making these products more widely known. Communities were very unaware of our audit reports. How could they use them to advance their cause? We make recommendations, and the federal institutions are committed to implementing them. They can also use our tools. What I meant by “more” is that our tools could be more visible and more widely used.
Of course, the more tools we put in place, the more the communities and institutions will benefit.
Institutions often ask us for tools to help them do their jobs. We have developed a few in the last year. What I mean by “doing more” is everything that can help them meet their obligations.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you very much.
I will turn things over to my colleague Mr. Samson.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you.
I have two quick questions for you. I provided good context on my last turn. It will help you answer the question.
Earlier, my colleague from New Brunswick read an excerpt from your brief. I would like to quote quickly from your report:
It confirmed that the lack of funding … in the Roadmap 2013-2018 has left Francophone minority communities vulnerable and often unable to meet their own needs.
Could you speak more to that?
11:55 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
As I said earlier, in these conditions, it is difficult for such organizations to recruit and retain competent staff.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
You're saying here that there is a lack of funding and that the roadmap hasn't helped to solve the problem.
How could we improve things the next time?
11:55 a.m.
Interim Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
We need to ensure that the funding remains constant, stable and timely. Contributions often arrive very late in the year.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Based on your response, I'd like to hear more about the agreements.
You say that it would be desirable for the federal government to negotiate in terms of early childhood, social infrastructure, or something else. For example, the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones could seek accountability and have an influence on school board priorities.
You mentioned agreements. I'd like you to clarify your thinking, because I think it's really interesting.