Yes.
Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
That's how we work. We table a motion and we each suggest witnesses. We then make selections based on the suggested names.
4 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I fully agree with my colleague from the NDP. We're inviting Statistics Canada representatives to share the results of the work and tests. However, in addition to Statistics Canada, we must meet with Canadians and with people who are affected by this issue. Our analyst will provide information to show us the current situation.
I think that we're putting the cart before the horse by inviting Statistics Canada representatives to the first meeting without having any information on the issue.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Godin, I don't want to seem persistent, but that's why Statistics Canada carried out tests. The reason is that we heard from all the stakeholders. I don't think that we missed anyone. Every school board in Canada that you can imagine came, along with the Quebec Community Groups Network, the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes, specialists, constitutional experts, and Supreme Court Justice Michel Bastarache, who is now retired.
As you'll see in the report that Lucie will provide later, this led to the Standing Committee on Official Languages' unanimous desire to ask Statistics Canada to include certain questions in its next form. We can no longer conduct a census without the enumeration of rights holders under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in a proper and genuine manner. You'll see this in the historic record.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
This was done beforehand, but we've just arrived.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Your colleague can tell you.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask this witness to come back and tell us what he heard from Statistics Canada. I agree with you.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Before we continue the discussion, Ms. Lecomte, the analyst, is informing us that, before the next meeting, on Monday or Tuesday morning at the latest, she'll send us this information by email so that we'll be ready.
Ms. Lambropoulos raised her hand before Mrs. Lalonde.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Emmanuella Lambropoulos Liberal Saint-Laurent, QC
I just wanted to say something.
It's not a stand-alone study. This is something that we had done in the previous committee and that we had heard extensively about. That was why we figured this would tie the bow and finish and help us to move forward in a positive way after what we had heard already.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
I'm new to the committee. The fact that we're passing this motion doesn't mean that we can't invite these witnesses to come back and give us a report on what has happened and on where Statistics Canada currently stands.
If the committee feels that it needs more information after Ms. Lecomte has sent us the latest recommendations, it could proceed that way as well. I want to know what Statistics Canada has done and where it stands, as soon as possible, so that we can get organized for the long term. In terms of the previous recommendations, we must decide how this committee can improve the component. However, this doesn't prevent us from listening to what Statistics Canada has to say.
February 20th, 2020 / 4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I agree with my colleague's comments. We amended the motion to add a fourth point. We made it clear today that we reserve the option of addressing any other related questions. I'm relieved about this. I'm also a new member of Parliament, but this new possibility doesn't restrict us.
Should we need to seek further information, the fourth point would enable us to do so and it doesn't restrict us at this stage. I fully agree with the amendment. I don't feel at all restricted or prevented from inviting people in another group to shed light on this issue.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Okay.
I want to inform you that the clerk needs time to invite the witnesses. We must make a decision fairly quickly. By Tuesday, we need a final motion so that the clerk has time to invite Statistics Canada representatives to appear next Thursday.
Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
If there's unanimous consent on the amendments—
I'll let Mr. Beaulieu finish his comments.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
By adding the fourth point, we could also ask Statistics Canada about issues other than the enumeration of rights holders.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I understand that we're talking about other questions related to the enumeration of rights holders. That's my understanding of Mr. Généreux's amendment.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
As long as we get them here, we could broaden the scope of the meeting. I, for one, would have some questions about the analysis grid.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Angus suggested that we discuss this issue and propose amendments to this motion at the next meeting, because he needs more time to prepare amendments.
Isn't there a consensus on this?