Evidence of meeting #72 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 languages.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Imposing these penalties solely on Air Canada would be discriminatory toward that organization relative to the others, would it not?
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
I am going to respond as follows. Personally, I would not consider it a problem if the Official Languages Act applied to all organizations.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Généreux.
Mr. Clarke, you have the floor for two minutes.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Given all the reading you have done, can you inform us, or enlighten us, on the subject of Bill 101, which is in force in Quebec? I believe it contains provisions for penalizing private businesses.
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
The reason is simple: I have come to know the language rights field because I have been obliged to do so to defend my rights. I have not examined Bill 101 and therefore am not an expert on it.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
When you say you are in favour of introducing mechanisms for imposing fines on Air Canada, do you know of any examples of countries that have official languages legislation, such as Switzerland or Belgium, and that impose that type of measure on private companies?
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
On the other hand, I am not saying this would be new. The penalty of statutory damages has been around since the Official Languages Act has been in force. I believe it was assented to in 1988.
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
The difference is that you have to go before the court and the court will order statutory damages. I propose to make that simpler. I am not asking whether damages should be imposed. They already exist.
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
The court has previously determined that a violation of language rights is worth a fine of $1,500. There has been no change to that.
I am merely asking that there be a simpler process for people. This is not something new. It already exists.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Clarke.
We will continue with Mr. Arseneault, who will ask the final questions.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Thibodeau, I do not have a lot of time for the question I want to ask you. it concerns enforcement or deterrent measures. By that I mean the $1,500 fine.
In what year was the first judgment rendered?
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
The three most important judgments are the ones you have before you, of which I gave you copies. The Federal Court judgment was in 2011. These are the most important and most recent judgments, but there were previously others.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
You have become an expert on this question. The way is well paved for obtaining remedies for services that you regularly use.
How many hours of personal work do you estimate are necessary from the moment a complaint is filed until it is amicably settled?
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
It must take about 10 hours based my most recent complaints.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
And how many would it take for a neophyte entering the jungle for the first time?
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
Oh, oh! I wish him good luck!
Let me tell you what will happen.