Official Languages Committee on April 13th, 2021

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

The issue is that, to ensure the future and vitality of a language, it must be the common language in a given area. This is the case for English in Canada. In Quebec, Bill 101 is trying to accomplish this.

Do you agree that French should be the common language in Quebec?

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

In our reform document, we acknowledge that the recognized official language in Quebec is French. We also acknowledge that there are two official languages in Canada. As I said earlier, we acknowledge that, under the circumstances, we must do more to protect French. This applies to immigration. However, this also applies to many other areas that fall under our jurisdiction, such as broadcasting, support for the digital world and culture.

In short, we're doing our job. We're making sure that we determine our responsibilities.

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

If you agree that French should be the common and official language in Quebec, do you agree that the modernized Official Languages Act should include interpretation provisions to ensure that no interpretation of the act undermines the use of French as a common language in Quebec?

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

We're doing our job within our jurisdiction. The Official Languages Act is a quasi-constitutional statute in the sense that it supplements the interpretation of the Constitution. It also takes precedence over other legislation. This legislation has a strong impact. We'll always be there to protect the long-term vitality of the French fact in this country. We'll act within our jurisdiction to protect French and, in general, language laws in Quebec and across Canada.

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

Basically, this means that some principles of the Official Languages Act or the Constitution—it was forced on Quebec and no Quebec government has signed it, which shows that we're a minority in this country—have undermined Bill 101 and that you don't mind.

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

Basically, Mr. Beaulieu, we don't necessarily share the same point of view. However, I respect your position. In my opinion, the federal government can play a role in protecting French. It can ensure that, within the Canadian federation, for generations to come, in Quebec and across Canada, we can continue to pass on our language and be proud of our heritage.

Under the current circumstances, the federal government's recognition for the first time that French is under threat and that we can take further action on this matter is historic. This is the result of a great deal of good work done by francophones across the country. That said, there are new threats now. The threats are found in the digital world.

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

Basically, you're acknowledging something obvious that was previously denied. We've known for a very long time that French is under threat in Quebec. All studies show this. It's more or less the same thing. You have good intentions, but you're saying that the Official Languages Act will continue to take precedence over French as a common language.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Your time is up.

I'll now turn the floor over to Mr. Boulerice for the next six minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the minister for being with us this afternoon. We appreciate it.

We will be able to discuss your reform plan in detail. Unfortunately, I confess to having had some difficulty following your government's intentions over the past few years, simply because they reveal a lack of consistency. In this regard, may I remind you of the following two facts.

With respect to the right to work in French in federally regulated businesses in Quebec, the Liberal Party of Canada voted against our bill, which was aimed at precisely that objective. You say you now want to impose bilingualism on Supreme Court judges. Yet you voted against our bill, which also required the application of this principle.

After multiple failures, instead of correcting the course by introducing a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act, you are seeking to buy time by releasing a document that provides no funding, no timetable, and no additional consultations. For years, there has been much rhetoric about francophones and the francophonie, but little action to protect French.

Here today, Ontario's francophones are being dealt a new blow. Laurentian University, a flagship institution, has just cut hundreds of positions and dozens of programs in French. Political scientist Stéphanie Chouinard has even called the situation at this francophone university a “bloodbath”.

Francophones in Northern Ontario are therefore very worried. That is why the University of Sudbury, with the support of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, has announced a plan to transform itself into an independent French-language university. This is a proactive and crucial step that we in the NDP are championing.

Since the question is clear, I would like your answer to be fairly short.

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

I took copious notes, dear colleague.

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

Will you announce federal funding for French-language post-secondary education in Northern Ontario?

If so, when will you do so?

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

My colleague asked me a good number of questions and I took several notes.

With respect to the different positions of the government, we presented an ambitious reform document that was well received by stakeholders across the country. It keeps a good balance on the language front, while recognizing that French needs more support. I still do not know if the NDP is for or against this reform document. I am waiting for confirmation from my colleague. It would be nice to know his position.

To reassure all my colleagues, most certainly, our goal is to introduce legislation as quickly as possible. There is a sense of urgency and we need to move forward.

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

Why didn't you introduce a bill instead of a reform document?

That's the question we're all asking ourselves around the table.

Why wait again, create a new committee and do new consultations?

They've all been done, those consultations.

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

No, I don't agree.

Particularly on the issue of the right to work in French, I think this is the first time there has been consultation related to the private sector in particular. In less than a month, I will have the recommendations from the committee, and then I can proceed. As I told you, my goal is to introduce legislation quickly.

The other thing is that the reform document goes much further than a bill, because there are things that will not be in the bill, such as the powers regarding francophone immigration, which are more the responsibility of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

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

It would be nice to have more francophone immigration, but that's not the question I asked you. I made a lot of assertions, but I asked you one question.

Will you announce federal funding for francophone universities in Ontario?

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

Yes, your question was about Laurentian University. All right.

Since I've been in office, I've seen that every time Conservative governments are in power, there are budget cuts at the post-secondary level. Two and a half years ago, I had to speak with my counterpart, Ms. Caroline Mulroney, at 3 a.m. to finally get the Franco-Ontarian university file resolved. I am trying to settle the Campus Saint-Jean file at the University of Alberta with the Government of Alberta, which is unfortunately turning a deaf ear.

At the moment, I am in discussions with the Ontario government, again. It's not right that Laurentian University is in this situation. As allies of the Franco-Ontarian community, we want to act, and we will most certainly start looking for solutions.

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

I see.

I understand that there are also problems at Campus Saint-Jean in Alberta. We in the NDP are looking at that as well.

However, in the letter you sent to the Ontario government, you say that you remain willing to look into the possibility of funding. Remaining willing to perhaps explore an opportunity is not very proactive or clear.

The question is, will you provide funding for the maintenance of French-language programs in Northern Ontario and in the universities?

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

Dear colleague, my position is clear. Post-secondary education is not an area of federal jurisdiction. Therefore, the plan must be tabled by the Ontario government. There is an urgent need to act, which is why I questioned my Ontario colleagues a few weeks ago on this issue. I have yet to hear back.

In the meantime, on our side, at Canadian Heritage, we are making sure that we have the necessary money, in case a solution is proposed by the province. That said, the federal government will not prevent the creation of a new French-language university in Northern Ontario or the maintenance of an existing one.

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

I would have liked to hear a clearer commitment.

I have time for one last question in this round.

To your knowledge, what was the increase in complaints against federal institutions between 2018-2019 and 2019-2020?

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

I think there was an increase, because at the same time there were budget cuts on the ground by conservative governments. The increase in complaints were particularly due to the issues surrounding the francophone university in Ontario.

There have always been a lot of complaints about Air Canada as well, but you should know that in the reform document we have increased the powers of the commissioner to deal with issues related to Air Canada.

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

You should have mentioned official languages in your agreement with Air Canada, by the way.

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

I discuss this in the reform document.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much. Your time is up.

Mr. Dalton, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Good afternoon, Minister.

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

Good afternoon, Mr. Dalton.