Official Languages Committee on May 27th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

You have 15 seconds, Mr. Généreux.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Thank you for coming, Commissioner.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Généreux.

Mr. Samson will be asking the final questions.

I've just been informed that two cameras are working at all times: The one in the meeting room and the ParlVU camera. Priority is given to the ParlVU camera to film speakers, meaning the people asking and answering the questions. Those listening to us on ParlVU saw Mr. Généreux in all his glory asking questions and the Commissioner answering them.

We're almost finished with you, Commissioner, because we know that you have somewhere else to be.

Now, we move to Mr. Samson, who is last but not least, from the Liberal Party.

Mr. Samson, you have five minutes.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you again, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Généreux, thank you for giving me your 15 seconds. I'm grateful.

Commissioner, I have some important questions for you. The first concerns the proposed amendment to section 16, regarding the bilingualism of Supreme Court judges. Do you think this amendment is important? If so, why?

My subsequent questions will depend on your answer.

[Raymond Théberge]

It's essential for Supreme Court judges to be able to function, meaning to express themselves and hear the case before them, in both official languages without the assistance of an interpreter.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Why?

[Raymond Théberge]

The Supreme Court is an institution that affects all Canadians. It makes extremely important decisions, and it's essential for Canadians appearing before the court to be able to be heard and understood in their official language.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you very much.

I'm not surprised by that answer. I agree with you, as do all Liberals. However, the Conservatives don't agree.

What do you think of a party that wants to take power and govern Canada, but is opposed to the appointment of bilingual judges?

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I've stopped the clock, Mr. Samson.

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Chair, my colleague knows full well that we must stick to the subject, which is the report by the Commissioner of Official Languages. I'd like him to get back to the main subject.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, as you know, I've given members a great deal of latitude in their questions, starting with those from the Conservative Party. We didn't talk about the Commissioner's report initially, but I didn't intervene, and I find this question just as relevant, even more so. So, I'll let Mr. Samson continue.

Mr. Samson, I'll restart the clock. You have 1 minute and 29 seconds remaining.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for reminding members that the initial questions didn't refer to the report at all. I was going to say that.

Commissioner, getting back to what I was saying, what do you think of an opposition party that wants to govern this country and thinks that having a bilingual Supreme Court isn't important?

[Raymond Théberge]

What matters is the principle of bilingualism at the Supreme Court of Canada. As I said earlier, in my opinion, it's a fundamental right to be heard and understood by all Supreme Court judges.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you very much.

Earlier, you said that senior management had to show strong leadership. About a month ago, a Conservative Party MP once again asked a minister in committee to answer her questions in English. It did a lot of damage.

What do you think about that kind of approach to the official languages?

If we at this committee don't do what needs to be done to further bilingualism and if others work against that goal, the situation won't improve. That's not leadership, in my opinion.

[Raymond Théberge]

It's important for all parliamentarians to be able to use the official language of their choice. I think we should stick to that. It applies to everyone. It's a pillar of our parliamentary system.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Commissioner, if I understand correctly, you intervened in a case in the Northwest Territories and made some extremely important arguments to influence the judge. You said that every student enrolled in a francophone school promotes the French language and culture, in principle, and the judge agreed with you. He said that they played a significant role within the community.

Could you comment on that? That's an extremely interesting argument, in my opinion.

[Raymond Théberge]

When it comes to culture and language, many people have a role to play. For francophone minority communities, the education system has always been the prime vehicle for transmitting their language and culture. Everyone who enrolls in a French-language school plays a role, and we mustn't forget the fact that, for 12 years, parents are also involved in the community.

When I was a child, there weren't any francophone schools. The world has completely changed. Now those schools exist to counterbalance the mainstream institutions and environment. So, when a young person enrolls in a francophone school, they develop an identity and a connection.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

That's a very good argument that makes a lot of sense. I really like it.

I'll conclude by saying that adding real property to Bill C-13—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

—was something that existed previously, however it was never applied. Let's hope that the measures being proposed will contribute to its success.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Samson.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

It wasn't a question.

Thank you, Commissioner. I also want to thank your two assistants, Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Leduc, as well as your entire team, at your office, who aren't here.

On behalf of the committee, I want to take a minute and tell you how grateful we are that you came.

Congratulations on your report, but, above all, for the way you answered questions so that everyone could understand. We're talking about a piece of legislation, it's in the legal field, but your answers were very easy to understand, as if you were a teacher. Thank you very much. We've enjoyed having you here.

We'll give you time to leave to prepare for your next meeting, which I believe is in a few minutes.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

On a point of order.