Official Languages Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

It would be interesting to be able to study it. As far as bilingualism is concerned, some bilingual countries have based their bilingualism on territorial models. They have different languages in different regions, as is the case in Belgium and Switzerland.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

What Mr. Angus is going to read to us will also be in line with Mr. Godin's comments.

So, we are agreed to hear from Mr. Angus again on this...

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

I have only one question. Are we also taking out the 10 weeks?

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

We will read it and we may get there.

Mr. Angus, go ahead.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'll move my amendment, which would be “That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee initiate a study consisting—”

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Excuse me, it's 108(3)(f).

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Okay. I'm looking at 108(2) and I'm wondering. Okay, I was never great at mathematics, but it looked odd to me.

Anyway, I'm reading it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

It is, “the Committee initiate a study consisting”—and I have a problem with 10 meetings, but that could be another amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

No, it's out. Take it out.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

It's out, okay. That's clear. It reads, “That pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the Committee initiate a study to examine the ways that the Government of Canada can ensure the protection of linguistic minorities with regards to protecting the rights of rights holders to receive an education in the minority language and in an attempt to protect the identity and culture of the members of the Official Language minority communities; that this study be completed by June 2020; that the Committee report its findings to the House.”

Did we take that out as well?

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Okay, so basically point (a) is what we're going to study. That's my friendly amendment.

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

All right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Is that clear to everyone?

[A voice]

Yes.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

If I understand the amendment correctly, item (b) is withdrawn and there's no longer any question of 10 weeks.

[A voice]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

I therefore move that we adopt Mr. Angus's amendment.

(Motion agreed to, as amended)

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I get it: there are no dates, no dates, no dates.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I would like to finish off committee business. I'd like to move my motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes, but just before that, please, the clerk will read it again.

[The Clerk]

Only if you want.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

We don't want to read it again, eh? It's clear. Okay.

Perfect. Things are nicely in harmony.

Mr. Angus, read us your motion.