Thank you very much.
We can of course debate these very worthy motions in committee, but, first, I would like to congratulate certain individuals.
First, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Dubourg, because this is really an interesting meeting. And through you, I also congratulate our analysts, who have invited these four excellent witnesses. I also congratulate Ms. Lattanzio for proposing this study on the pandemic. The work we have done to date shows how capable the committee is of making headway when it switches into work mode. I almost feel like saying that, when we step up our efforts, I wouldn't go so far as to say that we make up for lost time, but we cover ground quickly. The delays are behind us, and we're looking straight ahead.
A gloomy picture has been painted here this afternoon with regard to the Canadian government's response to the pandemic. I must say it's disturbing.
Much has been made of the fact that the Official Languages Act is 52 years old, but it shouldn't be forgotten that it was improved in 1988. Yesterday, my colleague Joël Godin, who is the member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, quoted you, Ms. Cardinal, because you said we needed to give the act "some teeth". How do you think we can modernize the Official Languages Act in the circumstances?
One of the recommendations, from a broader, whole-of-government perspective, is that the Official Languages Act be made a quasi-constitutional act and thus placed above other acts and, in a way, other departments and the Treasury Board. I'd like to hear your comments on that, Ms. Cardinal.
The testimony we heard was truly captivating. Ms. Chouinard, in particular, told us that the official languages issue has simply been ignored during the pandemic, and she added that it should always apply and that it should always be taken into consideration.
First, I'm going to turn the floor over to Ms. Cardinal, and then I would like to hear your comments, Ms. Chouinard, on how to guarantee a general predisposition toward official languages in efforts concerning the modernization of the act and government structures. We must ensure that another crisis doesn't reveal further breaches of the act. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the Official Languages Act is symbolic or in a precarious position, but its foundation definitely needs to be shored up.