Evidence of meeting #6 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
This is the first time I have attended a virtual meeting of the committee in person. I couldn't raise my hand because I don't have access to my computer. I want you to know that I requested the right to speak.
As you know, I had indicated my intention to introduce a motion.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I just want to know, given what you said earlier, whether Ms. Lambropoulos spoke with her whip before making her decision.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
I've decided that, Mr. Beaulieu. The matter is not open to debate.
I have no information on how the situation stands with her whip.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Pardon me, Mr. Chair.
For clarification purposes, could you read me the speaking list? I understand my colleague Mr. Blaney's comments, but everyone has to have a turn and I'd like the order to be followed.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you, Ms. Lattanzio.
That's in fact what I was preparing to do. Apart from you, Ms. Lattanzio, this list, prepared with the clerk's help, also includes Mr. Lalonde, Mr. Blaney, Mr. Arseneault and Mr. Beaulieu.
Go ahead, Ms. Lattanzio.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to my colleagues as well.
I'm eager for us to continue our business today, given that the last meeting had to be cancelled.
We heard from Mr. Théberge, the Commissioner of Official Languages, during the meeting before that, and he presented his report and recommendations regarding official languages.
As you will recall, on October 13, we adopted my motion to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the government's ability to provide Canadians with information in both official languages.
Today, I would like us to move forward and to see the committee start working. I'm eager for us to do what that motion proposes. We are in the second wave of a continuing pandemic, and we have persistent communication issues, particularly in certain regions of our beautiful country. We should address this matter.
The pandemic is already having an economic impact, but it is especially affecting the health and safety of our fellow citizens. The commissioner emphasized that there are deficiencies in communication with Canadians during the pandemic, hence the urgent need to conduct the study proposed in this motion. We must invite witnesses who can tell us what has happened during the pandemic and what we can do to address the problems Canadians are facing.
Mr. Chair, I know the subcommittee usually handles the planning of committee business. However, I'm going to take this opportunity today to propose that we examine the process. When this meeting started, you mentioned that we had six meetings left. Is that correct?
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
One of my colleagues moved that we devote five meetings to studying the impact of COVID-19 on communications with our minority language communities. I therefore move that we spend the next five meetings on that issue.
I'm also wondering about the entire question of witnesses, since I'm new to this committee. How will we proceed? When must we submit our witness suggestions and to whom? Who invites witnesses: is it the clerk? How long does it take to invite witnesses once we've submitted our suggestions? When can we begin our study? I'll let you answer before I continue my remarks.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you, Ms. Lattanzio.
I understand from your remarks that you would like to devote five meetings to the study proposed in the motion that has already been adopted.
Before discussing your motion to begin the study immediately, I would ask the clerk to tell us exactly how long it would take to select and invite witnesses once we decide to start the study.
4:10 p.m.
The Clerk
It is up to the committee to decide on the deadline for submitting the witness list. You should bear in mind that it ideally takes at least a week to invite witnesses.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
If I understand correctly, Mr. Chair, if committee members are invited to submit a list of guests between now and next Tuesday, we can then begin hearing witnesses starting at the meeting the following Tuesday. Is that correct?
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Ms. Lattanzio, you introduced a motion and I would like to let members debate that motion, following which members will decide how they want to proceed.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have a very simple comment. We've already adopted Ms. Lattanzio's motion and therefore have agreed to study the question. There remains the matter of the order in which we conduct our business, and I remember that an informal meeting was held during which all political parties agreed on the way to proceed.
I therefore think we should have a conversation and then reach a conclusion. For the moment, however, I understand that Ms. Lattanzio has reminded us that her motion was adopted and that the study she proposed therein is thus valid. I think we should listen to the other speeches on the matter before deciding on our roadmap. I therefore leave it in your hands.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you, Mr. Blaney.
As you said, the original motion was adopted, but we are now dealing with a new motion proposing that we hold five meetings. Let's listen to the various remarks on that motion.
Mr. Arseneault, you have the floor.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Chair, thank you for clarifying the matter.
My question was precisely on this point. Since we will now debate this new motion, do we have to raise our hand once again in order to speak?
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes. Several individuals previously expressed a wish to speak before this new motion was introduced. For the moment, it would be preferable that they withdraw from the list if they don't wish to speak to the new motion.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
I would just like to ensure that the speaking order established before Ms. Lattanzio introduces her new motion is followed once we have disposed of that motion. According to that order, I was to be the next speaker.