Evidence of meeting #69 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.)
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We are now in public session.
The first item on the agenda is the election of a vice-chair.
Madam Clerk will proceed with the election.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Christine Holke
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair shall be a member of the official opposition.
I am now ready to receive motions for the first vice-chair.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I nominate Alupa Clarke, a new member on this committee, for the position of vice-chair of this famous and prestigious committee on official languages.
The Clerk
It is moved by Mr. Arseneault that Mr. Clarke be elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I move that there be no further nominations.
Conservative
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Clarke duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I didn't have the skills for it.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
If only all elections were that easy.
Thank you very much. It's a great honour. I'm the child of a bilingual marriage: my father is from Vancouver and my mother is from Quebec City. I had the opportunity to join the committee on two occasions. I am very happy to be elected vice-chair. Rest assured that you will not be disappointed and that I will take this very seriously. I am very pleased.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Don't take it too seriously.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I did not hear you say it, but if memory serves, you are Acadian. That should also be addressed.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Yes, I grew up in Shippagan, on the Acadian peninsula, where I lived between the ages of 2 and 11. So my best friends are Acadian. I go to Le Goulet and Shippagan every year. The journey you mentioned earlier today will be a wonderful return to my roots.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
In any case, Mr. Arseneault sees an Acadian in each and every one of us here.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I would like to say that Mr. Clarke's father lives in my riding, and he strongly urged me to take a look at his son, which I will do.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
In fact, my father keeps me informed of anything his MP does, including his bike tour this summer across New Brunswick, a very popular event. It was actually featured in L'Acadie Nouvelle.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Very well.
Congratulations on being elected and welcome, Mr. Vice-Chair.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
The next item is a motion by Ms. Lapointe.
Mr. Choquette, your motion is no longer there. I will be reading Ms. Lapointe's motion as follows:
That the Committee invite Statistics Canada to explain the situation and provide solutions in response to the anomalies observed in the 2016 census count for linguistic minorities.
Are there any comments?
Mr. Choquette, the floor is yours.
Liberal
