Official Languages Committee on Feb. 25th, 2021

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Jennings, my question is for you.

In the NDP, when we speak about language proficiency or rights, we don't consider it a zero-sum game. It's not a matter of one player winning and the other losing. We want everyone to grow and advance together. You spoke earlier—and I was very pleased with what you said—about the special attention needed for the French fact, given that it is such a small minority in the North American context.

The previous witnesses spoke about the difference between formal equality under the act, and real equality, sociologically speaking, in fact. You, on the other hand, did not use the word "asymmetry". Do you believe that the French language, in Quebec and Canada, is in an asymmetrical position with respect to the English language, even though equality in practice is recognized?

[Marlene Jennings]

I believe that the constitution is very clear on this subject: there are two official languages in Canada, English and French, and they have equal status. In reality, we know that the status of the French language is unique and that measures are required to protect it and promote it to preserve the vitality of Francophone communities outside Quebec and ensure that French, in Quebec, is the language of work and in the public space.

We recognize that. What we are saying, to you and to the federal government, is that the anglophone language minority in Quebec, which has problems, ought not to be forgotten. Nowhere in your document are there any proposals that would look into and address the issues we are encountering on an everyday basis. The vitality of our communities is also at risk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much.

That's all the time we have for this meeting.

On behalf of all the committee members and myself personally, I thank you for having accepted our invitation and for having contributed to this study. I thank lawyer and former senator the Honourable Serge Joyal, who appeared as an individual; the Honourable Marlene Jennings, the president of the Quebec Community Groups Network, and Ms. Sylvia Martin-Laforge, the director general of that organization. Please send us any other documentation you feel might be useful to us for this study.

In closing, I would also like to thank the whole team that was with us for this meeting: the clerk, the analysts, the interpreters and the technicians.

Thank you for your contribution.

The meeting is now adjourned.