Evidence of meeting #95 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 questions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Can we proceed with the vote?
I think it's important that we have a recorded division.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
We all know that Minister Joly will be unveiling her action plan for official language minority communities next week. As of yet, though, we still don't know what's in the plan.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
That's the problem.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
I think there's a strong likelihood it will include funding for community media organizations. Having other groups administer an envelope is not—
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Vandal, are you certain that the funding will appear in the official languages action plan?
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
No, I'm not certain, but I'm ready to vote nonetheless.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I simply want to say that we weren't given 48 hours' notice and that we are meeting next on Monday. Further to what Mr. Vandal said, the action plan will be released Wednesday of next week.
I think we can debate the motion and come back to it on Monday. We shouldn't forget, however, that the action plan is coming out on Wednesday. We can move forward nonetheless.
5:15 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
In that case, I second it.
I'm not sure whether the right department is Canadian Heritage or Public Services and Procurement Canada. It deals with official languages responsibility. I think we can ask Mélanie Joly to take action on that front. In fact, I don't even think she needs to free up any money. All she has to do is stop investing $2 million in Facebook and spend it on our communities' media organizations.
I therefore second—
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Sorry, but I have to interrupt. The bells are ringing, so we have to go to the House for a vote.
I need unanimous consent from committee members in order to keep the meeting going for another five minutes.
5:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
All right, then. We will continue for another five minutes.
Ms. Lapointe, you may go ahead.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Ms. Lapointe has moved that the debate be adjourned. We are going to vote on her motion, then.
(Motion agreed to)
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
That doesn't mean we can't have the discussion later.
Before we conclude, I would like to sincerely thank the witnesses who came all the way here to meet with us. You conveyed the sense of urgency you feel and you provided excellent insight. Rest assured that, even though the meeting is ending this way, your message will be heard loud and clear.
The meeting is adjourned.