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.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We are now in public session.
I now give the floor to Mr. Choquette.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to talk about the two motions for which I introduced the notices earlier.
Let me summarize the first motion. Its intent is to invite the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to come and speak to the Commissioner of Official Languages' report, entitled “Early Childhood: Fostering the Vitality of Francophone Minority Communities”. The goal is to have him tell us about the progress made on his announcements regarding early childhood.
Agreements have already been reached. It's good news to hear that we are able to sign agreements with the provinces with a view to investing in early childhood. That's very important in light of the Commissioner of Official Languages' report.
I think it would be nice to hear from the minister on this particular topic, especially since early childhood is a significant part of Graham Fraser's report and in light of everything we have heard recently.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Choquette.
Are there any comments?
We'll start with Mr. Samson, followed by Mr. Lefebvre.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Chair, although I agree that we should invite the minister, I have to remind you that that the department is currently negotiating with the provinces. Mr. Choquette is aware of that. The discussions are in camera, since the parties do not want to disclose information before the agreements are worked out.
I see that you did not include a date in your motion, Mr. Choquette. I think we could give the chair an opportunity to check with the minister when he would be available to appear. We would let the minister determine the date of the appearance.
If that were the case, I would have no issue with it. Do we agree on that? The minister would determine the time, and it would be up to the chair to contact him.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I pretty much wanted to make the same comment. There's no point in the minister appearing before us in the middle of negotiations. Agreements need to be signed. Prince Edward Island, Ontario, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories have already signed one. My understanding is that Nova Scotia will sign one next week. Let's give the agreements a chance to be signed, and then the minister can report to us.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I'm sorry, I made a mistake; The comment I wanted to make was about the other motion.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Okay.
Does everyone agree? The date is to be determined. I will see how we can arrange it.
(Motion agreed to)
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
The other motion is the one I moved on October 4, 2017, with a view to inviting the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
I included a deadline: “by December 1, 2017”. I think that works, but we can check whether it works for my colleagues.
According to the motion, the minister would appear before us to give an update on the Action Plan for Official Languages, but the discussion could be broader. For instance, we could talk about the recent annual report and, if appropriate, she could also give us an update on the action plan. We can change the wording by placing more emphasis on the annual report than the action plan.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
It's as if he can read my mind; that's unusual. It isn't something I recommend doing often.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
That said, it's exactly what I wanted to propose. I think the minister should come and talk to us about the annual report. It could include the action plan and other things. And she wouldn't be limited to one subject.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I would like to make an amendment to your motion, Mr. Choquette, to make it clear that we would also like to hear about the agreement with Netflix. She could tell us what in the agreement promotes or guarantees investments to protect francophone production.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
If you are proposing an amendment, I would like to see a clearly defined text.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:45 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Christine Holke
He can, but the first amendment must be voted on first.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Okay. I accept Mr. Clarke's amendment.
Now, I would like to hear your comments on the amendment.
Ms. Lapointe, you have the floor.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
My comment doesn't concern the amendment, but rather what my colleague Mr. Choquette said initially. It isn't exactly the date that poses a problem, but discussing something as specific as a report.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
That's it. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
You didn't read my mind like that of my colleague, but that suits me.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Your thoughts are much more complex than mine.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
So the purpose of the first amendment is to add a reference to the annual report. The motion would refer to an update of the annual report, including progress on the action plan. Is that it?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
One moment. Wasn't there a proposal for an amendment?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
The annual report will automatically include everything, because it will cover all the activities undertaken during the year. We don't need to be more specific.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I accept Mr. Samson's amendment to remove the reference to the action plan and specify that it will be to inform us about the annual report on official languages.
(Amendment agreed to).
3:45 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
It would be the most recent report. So it will have to be the annual report for—
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
NDP
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Let's say in December. That would give her some flexibility.
3:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We are now moving on to the amendment introduced by Alupa Clarke.
I would like to hear your comments on it.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
It's really positive. I would just like the minister to be aware of our concern about the agreement she has made with Netflix and that she tell us in a public meeting what safeguards are included in the agreement that will help to promote francophone production.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Once again, Mr. Chair, the annual report covers everything. Anyone can ask questions about it.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
The Netflix agreement isn't part of the annual report. Am I wrong?
3:45 p.m.
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.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
This is interesting for two reasons.
Mr. Clarke, what expression did you use already?
3:45 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
3:50 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
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?
3:50 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
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?
3:50 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
In other words, are you asking Mr. Clarke to delay the introduction of his amendment?
3:50 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
According to the motion, she will be coming in December.
3:50 p.m.
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.
3:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
It doesn't stop you in the slightest from asking questions about it.
Honestly, I am not sure that it is up to our committee to answer the question that our colleague Mr. Arseneault is pondering at the moment. I think that question should be studied by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and not by the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Yes, but the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will not do it.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
My comments are along the same lines as Mr. Samson's.
Mr. Clarke, nothing is stopping you from asking the Minister about that when she comes before the committee. You will be able to ask her questions about the annual report, which includes everything that happened during the year. You just have to ask her.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I will send her an email to tell her that you want to ask her that question.
3:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
3:50 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I absolutely agree with what Mr. Clarke has just said, that the matter concerns us as well. In fact, it is up to us to promote both official languages, and to make sure that there is content in both official languages.
That said, I understand Mr. Arseneault's concerns. We have been working on the Air Canada file for a long time, and I would like to finish the report too. The same goes for the justice file. Unfortunately, that study will not be finished before my bill is put to a vote. It's unfortunate, but it's the sad truth.
In that context, I understand that Mr. Arseneault wants to do one study at a time. However, Mr. Clarke and I are both going to ask questions about Netflix. The minister will be made aware, because this session is public at the moment. So she can be advised that we are going to ask her questions about it.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. Clarke, can I conclude from this that you are withdrawing your amendment?
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
So, the main motion, as amended, reads as follows:
That the Committee invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage to appear before the Committee by December 15, 2017, to provide us with information about the Official Languages Annual Report 2015-16; and that this meeting be televised.
Do you agree?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We are now going to continue our study on Air Canada, unless any committee members want to discuss something else.
Ms. Lapointe, you have the floor.
October 19th, 2017 / 3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I want to make sure that we all keep working along the same lines. We are not here next week. When we come back, we are going to finish the Air Canada file. Then we will do the one on access to justice, the one on the field of nursing, and the one on Statistics Canada.
We have to finish all that before we look for any other work.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
If no one else has anything else to add, we will switch to the Air Canada file.
So I am going to suspend the meeting so that the committee can continue its business in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]