Official Languages Committee on Nov. 19th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 120 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages.

I'll quickly go over the instructions to avoid acoustic accidents caused by the sound system and microphones, among other things. Please read the small card in front of you carefully, for the sake of the interpreters and the technical team. Acoustic accidents do not occur in virtual mode, but rather around the table.

Pursuant to Standing Order (108)(3)(f) and the motion adopted by the committee on April 29, 2024, we are continuing our study on the minority-language education continuum.

Before giving the floor to the witnesses, I would like to digress for a moment.

Two weeks ago, for technical reasons, we adjourned the meeting instead of suspending it. Before the meeting adjourned, we were in the middle of the action, and Mr. Godin had the floor.

We'll get to the witnesses shortly, so bear with us.

Mr. Godin, the floor is yours.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We can be pleased that we'll probably get the support of the party opposite, the government party, and we'll get back to our study on the education continuum, at least I hope so.

Personally, I'm going to conclude my remarks so that the witnesses can speak. I'm obviously waiting to hear what the government's position is.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Godin.

According to my list, Mr. Serré is next, but he isn't here.

Ms. Gladu, would you like to take the floor?

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

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Beaulieu, would you like the floor?

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Généreux, would you like the floor?

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

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Iacono, would you like the floor?

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

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That was two weeks ago.

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

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Lightbound, I just saw your hand up.

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

I'll turn it over to Mr. Lightbound.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Okay.

Go ahead, Mr. Lightbound.

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

Given the fact that Mr. Brock apologized in the House of Commons, which was the purpose of the motion, I think the adage “better late than never” applies in this case, and I believe the motion is null and void.

I therefore ask for unanimous consent for the motion to be withdrawn.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr.—

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Go ahead, Mr. Godin.

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

Mr. Chair, there is a proposal from Mr. Lightbound. We have to take a position on that before someone else takes the floor.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I know, but Mr. Iacono allowed Mr. Lightbound to speak before him, since he wanted to speak.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

It's not up to a member of the committee to decide the speaking order; it's up to the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's correct, but I had given my approval.

Mr. Iacono, you have the floor, but please be brief.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You're a very flexible and reasonable person.

I just wanted to say that I'm glad there was finally an apology in the House. However, I would like to point out that this is the third time our Conservative colleagues have shown a lack of respect—

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.