Evidence of meeting #68 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 immigration.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Excellent, and I can say that the announcement of Mobilité francophone has helped tremendously with that goal.
I have a question for Minister Joly.
You may have already talked about it. We know that Budget 2017 allocated $7 billion over 10 years for quality and affordable child care spaces. Is money specifically allocated to francophone day care centres in francophone minority communities?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I've been talking about this with Minister Duclos. Since it's his file, I suggest that you also speak with him directly.
As part of the national framework, we must focus on the importance of early childhood to counter the assimilation of francophones in minority communities. Given that Quebec isn't a signatory to the framework, there's no mention of the anglophone community. That said, it will be done as part of the bilateral negotiations with the provinces and territories. That's why it's good news.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
There are two speakers left. I'm asking them to speak for only three minutes each.
We'll start with Bernard Généreux, and we'll finish with François Choquette.
Mr. Généreux, you have three minutes.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Hello, gentlemen and Minister Joly.
Minister Joly, you've been bashing the Conservatives since the start of your appearance. You said that nothing was done for 10 years.
We managed Canada with the money we had. You're currently managing Canada with money you don't have. It's darn easy to play politics when you decide to spend money you don't have.
With all the measures you've taken in the past year and a half, how do you explain—
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Okay. By the way, the word “darn” is in the dictionary.
Minister Joly, you've been in power for a year and a half. With everything you've rolled out in a dramatic fashion, why did the Commissioner of Official Languages tell us, just yesterday, that complaints had increased by 40%? Are you proud of this? Are you also proud of the Radio-Canada article—which I believe came out a week ago—indicating that Parliament Hill or the national capital region had a serious issue regarding the use of French, particularly among public servants? The Office of the Commissioner of Official languages has received almost 200 complaints on this matter. In a full room where just one person speaks only English, everyone starts speaking English instead of continuing in French. Are you proud of this? You've been in power for a year and a half. Stop talking about the Conservatives and the ten previous years. With all the money you've spent in a year and a half, are you also proud of this?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I congratulated you on your work because I truly believe you're doing a good job. I acknowledge the contribution of all committee members.
Regarding bilingualism, in general, we can always do better. It's an ongoing challenge in the country. I've said it a number of times. That's why the committee is so important and why all official languages supporters are important, regardless of the party.
I also think that the drop in funding in recent years and the decrease, I believe, in importance of the official languages inevitably resulted in a decline in the government's capacities.
Recently, when I gave a speech to all the senior public servants in the country, I spoke from the heart. I told them that, throughout the government and the public service, we must reassert the value and highlight the importance of the official languages. I think the work must be done collaboratively.
I also think that everyone in the public service, government and opposition can do better when it comes to bilingualism and official languages in the country.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Minister Joly.
We'll move on to François Choquette, who has three minutes.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We won't squabble. Ms. Jolly and Mr. Hussen will each have a minute and a half.
First, Minister Joly, thank you for being here, as I said earlier.
You spoke earlier about the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones and other associations. These organizations are requesting, as we recommended in our report, a strategic agreement with Canadian Heritage. This agreement would give communities a voice when it comes to managing the federal government funding for education from kindergarten to Grade 12. Why haven't you responded to this recommendation?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I responded earlier in my answers. It was the first time my department consulted the school boards directly as part of the public consultations. We're holding discussions with them to—
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
—reach, I hope, a strategic agreement. That's certainly my goal. I'm always ready to ensure the discussions move forward.
As I said earlier, given that the action plan will be launched by the end of the year and that we must establish bilateral agreements with all the provinces, the overall process is certainly tedious and time-consuming. I hope we'll reach an agreement as quickly as possible.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Ms. Joly.
I'll now turn to Mr. Hussen.
Mr. Hussen, you said that an immigration policy has already been established “to increase the demographic weight of official language minority communities,” as requested in recommendation 10 of the committee's report.
When thousands of Syrians arrived in the country, how is it that nothing was planned or prepared for their arrival, official language communities weren't consulted, and communities across Canada realized they weren't ready to handle the refugees? In New Brunswick, for example, a complaint was filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, which responded that the communities weren't ready and that nothing had been done. As a result, the complaint was founded. The government must now ensure that, when refugees are directed to certain locations, the communities are consulted.
Have you done your work? Have you established a policy in order to consult everyone who deals with immigration, within the communities, when refugees arrive in Canada?
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
First of all, there was consultation with francophone communities with respect to the Syrian refugees. The report indicates one example, but to say there was no consultation, I disagree.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Are you saying that the commissioner lied and that her report is unfounded?
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
There was consultation. As I said, that work is ongoing. We will do better in integrating refugees into francophone communities. We fund more than 50 francophone immigration settlement service providers. I'm very proud of the fact that on March 30, I signed a Canada-New Brunswick immigration agreement which, for the first time, included a francophone annex. It's the first one that will make sure that we collaborate on the attraction, retention, and settlement of francophone newcomers in New Brunswick. It also recognizes the unique bilingual nature of New Brunswick. Ontario now wants to follow suit. As part of the upcoming Canada-Ontario immigration agreement, they also want a francophone annex. These are the things we are doing moving forward.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
This concludes our meeting this morning. On behalf of the committee members, I want to thank the two ministers for their presentations and for their answers to the questions.
Once again, thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.