Official Languages Committee on Dec. 7th, 2017

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Samson.

It goes without saying that I respect your work a great deal. I appreciate the reports you produce. We are all allies around this table as regards the official languages.

It is true that the Official Languages Act will mark its 50th anniversary in 2019. We have already announced our intention to revise and modernize the regulations for the application of the Official Languages Act. We are prepared to consider how the system and our approach can be modernized. Each time you make recommendations, we consider them.

I know the Senate is also considering the modernization of the Official Languages Act. The senators have to produce a report in 2019.

I am following all of this very closely because it is clear that the Official Languages Act must evolve with Canadian society.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Alupa Clarke]

Thank you.

Mr. Mulcair, you have the floor.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Madam Minister, you said yesterday with regard to Netflix that your proposal was cultural and not fiscal.

Do you understand that the problem is that your cultural proposal is fiscally unfair and that a staggering number of stakeholders in all parts of Quebec are calling on you to reconsider? That is your responsibility, in fact. You cannot put that on the shoulders of other members of cabinet. It is your responsibility.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Our government has always been clear: what we put forward through Creative Canada is a cultural policy, not a fiscal policy.

As to the Netflix agreement, I did not negotiate a sales tax exemption. It is a $500 million investment in original content produced in Canada, in French and English. There is $25 million agreement to ensure that our francophone producers can get their share of that $500 million. Netflix will not receive new tax credits and will not have access to the Canada New Media Fund.

One thing is clear, however...

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Madam Minister, francophones outside of Quebec...

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Chair, may I finish my answer?

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Madam Minister, our time is limited and you have already answered.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I have not finished answering your question.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Chair...

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Alupa Clarke]

Please answer briefly, Madam Minister. Mr. Mulcair would like to continue.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Quebecers and Canadians know that we have invested $2.3 billion in culture. That is the largest investment in the arts and culture in 30 years...

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

She is not answering.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

...and we are very proud of that.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Alupa Clarke]

Thank you, Madam Minister.

You may continue, Mr. Mulcair.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I know the minister's talent for taking up time. Our speaking time here is very limited. I don't know if she is trying to use up my speaking time, but I will continue asking questions.

We learned the day before yesterday about the proposed appointment of someone as Commissioner of Official Languages who does not understand the urgent need to ensure that francophone litigants can make their case in French and be understood by the Supreme Court. We are very concerned about this.

Although the minister defends the importance of the official languages, on October 25, 2017, she voted against a bill that would require all future Supreme Court appointees to speak both official languages. In reply to a question asked by the official opposition earlier, the minister stalled. She refused to answer.

Let me repeat the question: if the government seriously believes that requiring knowledge of both official languages is necessary in order to achieve legal equality on the Supreme Court, what it is waiting for to put forward another bill, since the minister defeated the one introduced on October 25?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Mulcair, have you made this argument to your new leader?

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, but will the minister address the chair or not?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Alupa Clarke]

Ms. Joly, please answer the question. You are not the one asking questions today.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

My question is relevant. I want to make sure that my colleague...

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Alupa Clarke]

Mr. Mulcair asked a legitimate question, Ms. Joly.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

So is my question.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Your question is a way of refusing to answer the question asked.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Our position on bilingualism of the Supreme Court is clear.

The question is...

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

I will continue, Mr. Chair, since the minister is not answering.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

...what the NDP's position on the bilingualism of the Supreme Court will be from now on.