Official Languages Committee on April 13th, 2021

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to finish my answer.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Pardon me.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

This is a bit tiresome.

I appreciate that the honourable member would like me to answer his question, and I am trying to co-operate. This would go smoothly if the honourable member would just let me finish my answer.

Basically, when it comes to Laurentian University, the goal is to make sure northern Ontario has a post-secondary institution and to work with the Government of Ontario on solutions. We are willing to support that through investments.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Chair, I think Mr. Beaulieu has a point of order. There may be an issue with the interpretation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

I'm listening, Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Mr. Rayes' last comment was interpreted in English. The French interpretation wasn't working.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

If everyone speaks at the same time, the interpreters can't do their job, so I would kindly ask that you follow the rules.

Mr. Arseneault, we now go to you.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I won't repeat what you just said, but the discussion certainly sounds jumbled and the poor interpreters can't do their job properly.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Chair, I don't think it's the talking over one another that's the issue. That part is terrible, but when—

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Just a minute, Mr. Rayes. Mr. Godin has a comment, and then, we'll come back to you.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Chair, Mr. Beaulieu's point of order had to do with an interpretation problem. It wasn't all the noise that was causing the problem, as you suggested. Mr. Beaulieu's point of order was extremely appropriate.

We must show respect for the interpreters and do our best to get any technology issues fixed, so that members can hear the discussion clearly in both official languages.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Godin.

Madam Clerk, is there a technical issue with the English interpretation?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Nancy Vohl]

As I texted you earlier, there was a minor issue, but it's been fixed now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Very well. Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Beaulieu.

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

You did not recognize me earlier, so that's why I spoke over another member.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Rayes, we now go back to you. I stopped the clock. You have two minutes left.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, can you tell us whether the funding provided to Laurentian University in the past five years has been indexed at all?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We can get back to you with all the details, of course. My department official Denis Racine can give you more information.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

I can confirm that there was no indexing. The government never increased its funding for Laurentian University despite the financial strain the university is currently under.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I don't think I can confirm that. I know additional funding was provided to the Government of Ontario. We increased funding for the French-language education system. Did the Ontario government give that money to Laurentian University? That I don't know, so I can't answer your specific question.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Do you realize it is the federal government's responsibility to protect members of minority language communities all over the country?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

It's a constitutional obligation, but it's also a shared obligation, particularly in the area of education.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Do you agree?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We've seen this before. When the Ontario government has education problems, it has to meet its obligations. It eventually did in the case of Université de l'Ontario français, after the federal government pushed the province to do something. Ontario has to step up in the case of Laurentian University as well.