Evidence of meeting #81 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 process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Dear friends, the first motion, from Mr. Clarke, proposes the following:
That the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to appear before the committee on the new immigration targets as they relate to official languages.
We will now debate the motion.
Mr. Vandal, you have the floor.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
I just wanted to say that I am not opposed to the motion itself, but the minister already appeared before the committee, with Ms. Joly, last June. That was just about five months ago.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
He will not have anything new to say to us.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
As to the announcement, I agree that immigration needs to be increased. We do have a serious labour shortage.
Did he not announce that later than June?
Liberal
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Did he indicate which policies he would implement for francophones in Winnipeg?
Liberal
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Perhaps it would be better to wait until April or May to introduce a motion to get an update on the situation.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
For my part, I will want to know if the targets have been met.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
We cannot ask for an update after four months, but we could after a year. I suggest therefore that Mr. Clarke withdraw his motion and come back to it in April or May.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I would like us to go ahead with this motion. I remember the immigration minister's visit very well. I am sorry to say this, but what he said did not make any sense. It was nonsense. We asked him who was responsible for francophone immigration and he said no one was. We asked him whether there was a specific strategy for immigration to minority communities, but he did not know what we were talking about. He thought there was one, but there was none in fact. We asked him to forward that information to the committee and he sent us the Action Plan. It makes no sense.
He had just become the minister. Perhaps he has more of a feel for his duties now. Francophone immigration right across the country is not going well at all. The minister has had the time to familiarize himself with his duties and get down to work. So I would like him to come and tell us what is going on.
Liberal
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Lefebvre's charming remarks have nearly made me lose track. I am also new, but for the past month and a half, all the groups I have met have expressed serious concerns in this regard. In a completely non-partisan way, we would like the minister to come meet with us now that he is familiar with his duties and talk to us specifically about francophone immigration, the strategy, objectives and location.
Liberal
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have no objection to the minister appearing before the committee again, but we should wait a bit.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Yes. To my mind, he will decide when he is ready to come speak to us.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
That will be done and we can then mark the date on the calendar.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
The fact that there is no specific date does not bother me. I do not want to hear about strategies, but about results. I think it will take at least six months for the results to be apparent.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Seeing that there is a strategy might reassure the groups who follow the committee's work and who are very worried.