Official Languages Committee on Nov. 5th, 2024

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm not just talking about Canadian identity here, but also about the spirit of this motion. In this motion, I see clearly—if I read between the lines—a criticism directed at members of the Conservative Party of Canada. However, from the beginning, Conservatives have always been in favour of the right to speak French and English in Parliament. It was the Conservative Party that elected Canada's first Prime Minister and George‑Étienne Cartier, who were behind the accommodation that enabled Quebec and French-speaking Canadians to be part of Canada within the federal framework we know and which is very much appreciated. Those are my comments on that.

It's true that I talked about the beginnings of our country, but I'll now take a 120-year leap back to where we are today. I'll talk a bit about Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and his efforts to accommodate French Canadians.

As you know, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was adopted in 1982. The Liberals, like the Conservatives, were proud of that agreement. However, it had one major flaw: Quebec had not ratified it.

Brian Mulroney, a francophone from Baie-Comeau of Irish origin—like me, a Dalton—was first elected in 1984. He had not only a passion, but a vision, a desire for Quebec to ratify the Charter. He put a lot of political capital into his efforts. Mr. Mulroney passed away last year and was very successful on a number of things, such as free trade and the end of apartheid in South Africa, where he played a leadership role and made a difference.

However, it was a very difficult battle for him. As Prime Minister and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada, he helped sign the Meech Lake accord. He had different objectives, but one of them, which he thought was very important, was to specify in the agreement that Quebec was a distinct society within Canada. The accord recognized Quebec as a distinct society. What happened was that all the other provinces had to sign the agreement. The majority of the provinces signed it. However, it had to be done in three years, which Brian Mulroney failed to do. So we had to start the process all over again.

We always talk about the importance of French, francophones, the Canadian identity and constitutional law.

The point I want to make is that the Conservative Party and Conservative Prime Ministers have played a leadership role in defending this freedom since the beginning of the country and even when Mr. Mulroney was in power. There was the Meech Lake Accord. Time passed and there was another accord, the Charlottetown Accord in 1992. Then there was a national referendum, and that agreement was defeated because the people rejected it. The vote was close, but the agreement was defeated because other parts of Canada had concerns about it. It was a battle, or rather the fact that we live in a very large country and that there are different points of view.

Even at the beginning of Canada, there were different points of view, and compromises had to be made. In the context of that agreement, it was a matter of making compromises, but the agreement was defeated in the referendum. Brian Mulroney went to great lengths to support French and to get Quebec to ratify the Charter.

That's what I wanted to say about Mr. Mulroney. I could go on, but I now have to talk about the last Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. He was a Prime Minister—

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Go ahead, Mr. Bachrach.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Thank you very much.

I apologize to my colleague for interrupting.

I believe my colleague Ms. Ashton may be arriving in the room momentarily. I wanted her to benefit from the full splendour of Mr. Dalton's history lesson, so I'm wondering if he might begin afresh, now that Ms. Ashton is in the room, and just start from the beginning. It was important, and I fear that she hasn't really benefited.

I won't be able to recount all the details because I haven't been taking notes, but I will thank the committee for allowing me to sit in. It's been edifying.

I wish you all a very good day.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Bachrach. As a matter of fact, Ms. Ashton is right here in the room.

Have a good day. You're excused.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

I thank Mr. Bachrach—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Let me interrupt you, Mr. Dalton.

At the beginning of the meeting, I may not have specified the names on the speaking list. We also have Ms. Ashton, who will speak a little later.

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

You didn't mention that. Could you repeat the names of the speakers on the list?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Yes. Right now, Mr. Dalton has the floor. Then we'll have Mr. Lightbound, if he signals to me that he still wants to speak. He will be followed by Mr. Iacono, Ms. Ashton, Mr. Godin and Mr. Serré.

Mr. Dalton, you have the floor.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank Mr. Bachrach for his kind words. He wanted me to repeat my entire speech, but too bad.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

This will be your third strike if you repeat your speech. I just wanted to tell you that.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

I'm not going to do that. You can read the comments in the transcripts or watch the video recording.

I want to talk a bit about former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I won't mention everything he did, only about what applies to the motion. It's about the Canadian identity and the place of francophones in Canada. My comments are very relevant. They are still about the motion.

Mr. Harper was Conservative Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015, and he took important steps to recognize Quebec's unique cultural identity and support the language rights of francophones across the country. One of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's most significant actions with respect to Quebec was taken in 2006, the year he was elected Prime Minister. That year was the first time I ran in a federal election. I didn't win, it was against Mr. Peter Julian, who is still a member of Parliament. I then worked in provincial politics for eight years.

However, Mr. Harper introduced a motion in the House of Commons that recognized Quebeckers as a nation within a united Canada, formally recognizing Quebec's distinct culture, language and identity, while affirming Canada's unity.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Just a minute, Mr. Dalton.

Madame Gladu, is this a point of order—I see your hand—or do you just want to be put on the list?

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

No, Chair. I'd like to be on the list. Merci.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Merci. It's done. You're on the list.

I'm sorry, Mr. Dalton.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

I'm very aware that some people are anxious to speak. I'm not going to go on for very long. I'll conclude my remarks shortly.

My goal isn't just to talk, but to talk about important things. In my opinion, it's important that this discussion on the importance of French and the fact that French is essential be recorded in the testimony. I want to focus on the Conservative Party, especially its leaders, because one can be a member of Parliament, but often it's the leader who gives the direction to follow.

I mentioned Prime Minister Macdonald and Prime Minister Mulroney. Now I'm talking about Mr. Harper. Then I'll conclude with another person, who I hope will be the next Prime Minister. There you go.

Mr. Harper recognized the importance of Quebec's distinct identity. It's interesting to note that Brian Mulroney made great efforts to have Quebec sign the Charter and be recognized as a distinct society. For his part, Mr. Harper proclaimed the distinct character of Quebec society and recognized Quebec as a nation within Canada. At that time, it was really important. Even though Mr. Harper came from a region of Ontario and later became a member of Parliament from Alberta, he knew and recognized that linguistic duality was fundamental to the Canadian identity. It has worked to ensure that federal institutions respect both official languages. He also led initiatives to support francophone communities outside Quebec, including educational programs that promote the learning of French. This was particularly important for francophone communities in Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia.

I was a teacher at the time. My students and I benefited from visits to Quebec. I talked a little bit about that. We received grants from the government through the Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus and the vision of the Canadian francophonie. That funding was very helpful to us. We saw that in the past.

Mr. Chair, I'd now like to yield the floor to the next person on the list, with your permission, of course.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Dalton.

Mr. Lightbound, you have the floor.

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be brief.

I wasn't sure I wanted to speak, but I can't help at least point out how, in the context of our committee's work, we are witnessing a monumental waste of time, when we have an important study before us, namely the education continuum.

We don't need to go back to the days of Mathusaleh. What happened is quite simple. A Conservative member, Larry Brock, made it very clear that a minister should not give a French answer to an English question. Since the minister's mother tongue is French, he has every right to express himself in French. That member, and I think we all agree that he made a mistake, should apologize to the House. It's as simple as that. That's what the motion requests.

I call on my colleagues to put an end to this circus that we've been observing here, at the Standing Committee on Official Languages, for three meetings now. This circus has gone on long enough. I say that with all due respect to Mr. Dalton. I find it fascinating to hear his comments on history, but it can be done without mobilizing the resources of the House as we are doing.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Lightbound.

We'll have to suspend the meeting for a few minutes, because there seem to be some problems with the connection.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We'll reconvene the meeting.

The mikes are working all around the table, and the next speaker is Mr. Iacono.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Chair, first of all, I'd like to point out that this morning, and the other day as well, my colleague Mr. Dalton spoke in French. I'm not talking about his comments or their relevance, but rather about the fact that he spoke French. I'm sure that we are relieved to see that there are Conservative members who want to make an effort to learn French and to speak French. I'm sure that my colleague from the Bloc Québécois is very pleased that an anglophone member is making the effort to speak French. However, I don't see that effort or interest on the part of MP Larry Brock.

Having said that, Mr. Chair, in the interest of time, I would just ask that you call the question. You know, Canadians are watching. I tabled a motion on a relevant matter. I think we have already heard enough comments, filibusters and arguments against the motion. It's time to take action and put the motion to a vote so that we can move on to other important things that have to do with the French language.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Iacono. Unfortunately, the rules of the House of Commons prevent me from calling the vote as long as there is a debate that respects decorum on a motion. So we'll go in the order of the—

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

In that case, I'll continue speaking, because I'm not finished.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Go ahead, I'm listening.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.