Official Languages Committee on April 18th, 2016

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I did take note of Mr. Lefebvre's comments. He is right. We have just about finished our study. Still, I agree that the Commissioner of Official Languages should appear before us. We probably will talk to him about more than just the Translation Bureau. We could also ask him many questions about different subjects. Our meeting will not be about just the Translation Bureau. It is worthwhile having him with us for at least two hours because he has a lot to say.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Yes, quite right.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

He could advise us on what studies we might like to do. We could ask him one or two questions about the Translation Bureau, but the meeting will not focus on that subject alone.

As for the Treasury Board representatives, we could certainly ask them questions about the Translation Bureau, but I don't believe that is the only subject that will be discussed at the meeting. We could ask them general questions about the work of the Treasury Board as it pertains to the application of the Official Languages Act.

Perhaps I am repeating myself, but I would like to remind the committee that the Translation Bureau reports to Public Services and Procurement Canada. We have never had the opportunity to have the minister appear before our committee. I understand that she may not be available. However, we should at least invite the senior officials in order to finish the study since the Translation Bureau falls under that department.

Furthermore, I agree with my colleague, Mr. Nater, on the importance of meeting with the people who created the translation tool. I believe it might be possible to add, after the Treasury Board representatives, the two groups mentioned above, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the NRC, if my memory serves me well. That is what I will be moving next Wednesday in order to complete our study. I agree with Mr. Lefebvre. After all that, we will have looked at it from every angle.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

All right.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I will officially move my motion on Wednesday, but I would like you to think about it and decide if you agree.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

It's all good. We will talk about it later.

The Clerk mentioned that another date, June 1, has been set aside already. We will be hearing from representatives of the Association franco-yukonnaise, I believe.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

What will the topic be?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

We will be talking about the linguistic minority in the Yukon.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Did the association ask to appear before the committee or did we invite the association?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I had suggested it to the Clerk, but it is the association that would like to meet with us.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

The Association franco-yukonnaise serves a territory, just like provincial associations serve their provinces. I am wondering if this is the right time to hear from these people, or if we should perhaps wait until we study the Roadmap.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

You may be right.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

We should perhaps postpone their appearance, unless they have already planned their trip to Ottawa and do not intend to return in the near future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

I understand.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Georges Etoka]

They will be in Ottawa on that date.

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

I see. We should perhaps discuss when will be a good time to meet with them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Mrs. Boucher, you have the floor.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

It seems to me that we are not very focused. We start one thing, but don't finish it, and then we move on to another. Could we focus on one subject and then move on to the next?

Right now, we are all over the map and don't know what we will be doing next.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

That is not necessarily the case.

In fact, with respect to the Commissioner of Official Languages, we do not really have a choice.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I understand that, however—

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

In fact, on June 1, when we could hear the Yukon witnesses, our study of the Translation Bureau will be finished in theory. The report will have already been written.

I am trying to plan. I suggested using May 9 and 11 to write the report, but that could change. In theory, we should be finished with the witnesses regarding the Translation Bureau. After mid-May, we will have breathing room.

I will give you an example. We have already talked about inviting the Mayor of Quebec City, Mr. Labeaume, to talk about his idea of making Quebec City the capital of the Francophonie in America.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

With all due respect to Mr. Labeaume, what does that have to do with us?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Don't get me wrong, this has nothing to do with translation.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I am not talking about translation, but about official languages. We are the Standing Committee on Official Languages.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Yes.