Official Languages Committee on April 29th, 2021

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

Basically, an all-out effort will be needed to change the situation and alter federal language policy so that French can thrive in Quebec. Currently, the government doesn't want Quebec to be in charge and it continues to advocate the same principles.

Hasn't the anglicising impact of federal language policy gone under the radar for too long? Should we not be doing something to change things?

My questions are for the FTQ representatives.

[Denis Bolduc]

Thank you for your question, Mr. Beaulieu.

You won't be surprised to hear a director of the FTQ say that with respect to language and several other areas, Quebec needs to be autonomous. Autonomy would enable us to do a better job of protecting our language. Quebec is the only francophone territory in North America, and it is drowning in an anglophone sea.

The Quebec government is currently considering a reform of Bill 101. It's already talking about using an override clause to ensure that the courts cannot undo whatever it, as the government legitimately elected by the people of Quebec, decides.

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

I fully agree.

Do you think that the people of Quebec are aware of this?

I happen to be the person who brought the motion to study this issue. People have told me that they did not want the federal government to be involved in the language question. However, the federal government is already very much involved.

Take, for example, the Development of official-language communities program, which allocates $5 million to a number of Quebec anglophone organizations, including the Quebec Community Groups Network. The Enhancement of official languages program gives them $20 million. In 2015-2016, the total amount was $23 million, but it varies a little from year to year. And the Official language health program provides funds for English-language training for Quebec public servants working in the health field.

Do you think that the people of Quebec are aware of all these programs, financed by Quebec taxes and federal taxes collected in Quebec, and used to strengthen English in Quebec? Are people really aware of them?

[Denis Bolduc]

I would unhesitatingly say that the vast majority are not.

[Anne Meggs]

It's pretty clear.

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

If we were to succeed in making people more aware, we could get a reaction that would help put pressure on the federal government to change its language policy.

The mere fact that the repercussions of federal language policy on the status of French in Quebec have never been studied, over a period of 52 years, demonstrates this forcefully.

Would anyone like to add anything?

[Anne Meggs]

You're absolutely right. Money spent promoting English in Quebec could certainly be used to help francophones outside Quebec.

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

That's right.

What we've really been talking about is institutional completeness, which means that the stronger a language group's institutions are, the more attractive its language will be.

In addition to these programs, over 38% of federal funding goes to anglophone universities. It's the same thing just about everywhere.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much, Mr. Beaulieu.

The last questions are going to be asked by Ms. Ashton.

You have seven minutes, please.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My first question is for Mr. Bolduc.

What, concretely, does the government need to do to ensure that Quebeckers have the right to work in the language of their choice?

[Denis Bolduc]

The government needs to say it loudly and clearly. As I was saying earlier, the government needs to lead by example. It needs to implement measures that strengthen public servants' right to work in French in Quebec. The very idea may seem rather basic, but that's where it all starts. The government needs to set an example and introduce appropriate mechanisms.

More promotion of this right might also be a good idea to remind people that they can work in French in Quebec.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you. Your message is clear.

My next question is for Ms. Meggs.

What do you feel are Canada's and Quebec's immigration needs? What should the Official Languages Act do in terms of migration policies?

[Anne Meggs]

I think these policies are already in place. I believe that trying to attract francophone immigrants has been part of the federal government's policy for a long time. It even creates some competition under the Canada-Quebec Accord.

The key factor is being able to select immigrants who already know French before coming to Canada or Quebec. That's why I spoke to you about temporary immigration just now. It's much more difficult to teach immigrants French after they come to Canada . They settle and organize as best they can; that's life, and that's human nature. The selection process is what needs attention.

Since we've been talking a lot about temporary immigration, perhaps conditions for issuing work permits ought to be added to encourage employers to think of French when they want to bring in workers from abroad.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

How do you see the linguistic duality between francophones and anglophones in our society?

[Anne Meggs]

Is that question also for me ?

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Yes.

[Anne Meggs]

Personally, I can't deny just how valuable it is to be able to communicate in both languages, and even sometimes more than two languages; my children speak three or four languages so well that it makes me feel inadequate sometimes. It's an asset for Canada.

So if we want this asset to remain, then it's French that needs protection. English is not in any danger because it's the international lingua franca. If we want to preserve the concept of two official languages in Canada for people who have a cultural background in both languages, then it's French that needs to be promoted and protected.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you very much, Ms. Meggs.

I would now like to ask Professor Leckey a question.

You candidly said that French opened doors for you, and that it made you want to learn the language and speak it fluently.

Do you believe that the decline in French is linked to some extent to people's neglect of it?

[Prof. Robert Leckey]

I'd like to return to the suggestion I made at the beginning of my comments. French must not be allowed to fade into the background. The teaching of French as a second language needs to be promoted and encouraged at all universities in Canada. I regret today having had to work so hard to improve my French in Montreal because I had never had the opportunity to learn the language when I was in Ontario.

I think that it's essential to redouble our efforts in all of the country's provinces so that French can be taught and appreciated properly, and so that everyone can have access to French culture. Quebec's cultural wealth is amazing, but it's not necessarily transmitted to the other provinces. Sadly, Quebec's culture is sometimes given greater recognition in Europe than in the rest of Canada. It's undeniable that this cultural heritage is rich and that keeping French alive will make official language francophone communities outside Quebec stronger.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you.

I'm from Manitoba, and my favourite Canadian city is Montreal. It has all kinds of admirers in the rest of Canada.

I have another question for you. How can we reconcile French and English in minority communities, without violating the rights of francophones?

[Prof. Robert Leckey]

I'm not sure I've understood your question. What rights are you talking about?

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

I'm talking about the rights of francophones.

How can we reconcile French and English in a minority context while respecting the rights of francophones?

[Prof. Robert Leckey]

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I really understand the meaning of your question.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

You mentioned universities as an example. Perhaps you could tell us how to promote French and English, whether in Quebec or elsewhere, depending on the context, by ensuring that the rights of francophones are acknowledged and respected.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

You have 10 seconds to reply, Mr. Leckey.