Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm astonished by the remarks from our witnesses. We've all observed various communication problems since the start of the pandemic.
Ms. Chouinard, I believe your main argument is that this is a fundamental problem. Nearly 52 years after the Official Languages Act was passed, the federal government does not yet automatically comply with the act as a whole. That's precisely what has happened and what has become obvious to us over the past eight months.
You spoke particularly clearly about the “reflex”. When we think of a government reflex, it should be a conviction that's ingrained in the way government thinks.
We understand that we are in the midst of a pandemic. However, I want to cite an incredible and outrageous example that clearly illustrates your remarks. November 11 of every year is an event that brings veterans together so we can remember their sacrifice.
This past November 11, however, Veterans Affairs posted the following error-laden tweet in French: “Ce tweet, pour recevoir un appel le 11/11 de prende un moment por se souvenir de ceux qui ont servi et sacrifice pour notre liberté.” We agree that this example concerning veterans and November 11 isn't an emergency or a crisis, but it does come up year after year.
We have recognized Canada's official languages for 52 years now, and we still see these kinds of tweets, which I imagine are generated using Google Translate. It's absolutely incredible to read these kinds of messages.
Listening to your remarks, Ms. Chouinard, I'm very surprised to hear that this “reflex” has never been developed to the point where we can ensure systematic and automatic compliance with the act today, whether in times of crisis or otherwise. The crisis has resulted in a lack of respect for the French language that amounts to a slap in the face.
Can you explain why, even today, we find ourselves in this kind of situation, whether in a time of crisis or in normal circumstances.