Evidence of meeting #76 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Once again, Mr. Chair, the annual report covers everything. Anyone can ask questions about it.
Liberal
Liberal
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
The Netflix agreement isn't part of the annual report. Am I wrong?
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
No, but it's part of the vision she shared on culture, I think. You will be able to ask the question.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
This is interesting for two reasons.
Mr. Clarke, what expression did you use already?
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
As I have often heard, the safeguard of francophone culture is Quebec culture. This ignores Netflix's knowledge of francophone culture outside Quebec. I like this perspective. But, I'm reluctant to support this amendment right away, and it has nothing to do with its content.
I discussed it earlier with Ms. Lecomte. We study things, it takes us on other paths, and we all get excited. We all want things to be fine, but when it's time to make reports and recommendations, we've lost the thread. It would be so nice if we could finish what we started, meaning, report back and move on to something else.
The Air Canada file is the perfect example. We have to go back, retread ground we've already covered, remember what was said, search the witnesses' statements.
I understand the need to look at this soon. I'm not against the idea. I'm really worried about this situation, too, for the reasons I explained. However, could we study this a little later, but early in 2018? That way, we could finish what we've already started before moving on to something else.
Liberal
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I totally understand what you are saying, Mr. Arseneault. However, when I was a member of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, we could conduct a dozen studies at the same time. Sometimes, we had ministers come so that we could ask them questions, and it would take half an hour. There is a technical dimension to the studies, but we also have a political duty as a committee: to cross-examine ministers on what they are doing.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I mean that ministerial responsibility is not just limited to the House; it extends to committees too.
That said, if you want to do it in January, I understand. Personally, I feel that we could easily take half an hour.
So, how long do you want to invite the minister for?
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
That is a very good question. Excuse me, that's my fault, I did not include that detail in the motion. I left it a little open.
If my colleagues agree, my proposal would be for a two-hour session, made up of a one-hour televised session with the minister and then an hour with the officials. That is my proposal. That is generally what happens, anyway. So I propose an hour with the minister and an hour with the officials, as part of a televised meeting, if that is possible.
So we can add that to the motion, if my colleagues agree.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. Arseneault, as I understand your comment just now, you are of the opinion that it should be in another motion, rather than an amendment to this motion. Is that the case?
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
No. I don't want to complicate things.
I was talking about Mr. Clarke's proposal. I am not against the idea. However, I know how we operate: if there are areas we want to look into more closely, we will get more people to testify and we will not finish the reports we are working on at the moment. We are going to end up making recommendations and preparing reports that we are going to have to check line by line, on topics that we dealt with six months earlier. I would prefer us to deal with one topic at a time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
In other words, are you asking Mr. Clarke to delay the introduction of his amendment?
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
If you decide to delay consideration of my amendment, we will also have to delay the meeting that Mr. Choquette's motion is asking for. It would mean that the minister would come before the committee in January or March 2018.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
According to the motion, she will be coming in December.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Okay, but if the minister comes before the committee as a result of Mr. Choquette's motion, I would like to talk to her about Netflix. I would like to give her a heads-up, so that she can be prepared.
