Evidence of meeting #9 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 tool.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
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.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
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.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
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.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
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.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Did the association ask to appear before the committee or did we invite the association?
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
I had suggested it to the Clerk, but it is the association that would like to meet with us.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
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.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
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.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
I see. We should perhaps discuss when will be a good time to meet with them.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—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.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
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.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
I understand that, however—
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
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.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
With all due respect to Mr. Labeaume, what does that have to do with us?
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
I am not talking about translation, but about official languages. We are the Standing Committee on Official Languages.