Evidence of meeting #3 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was language.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
Thank you.
Once again, thank you to all the witnesses.
I would like to know how urgently we need to act. The question is for Mr. Rousseau and Mr. Boivin.
5:20 p.m.
Associate Professor, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
I think the situation in Montreal—on the island mainly, but also in the greater Montreal area—is especially urgent. I would welcome the federal government, Quebec government and municipalities of the greater Montreal area joining forces on a response plan, in co‑operation with companies that have a significant presence in Montreal. I would be very supportive of an initiative of that sort.
February 2nd, 2022 / 5:20 p.m.
President, La Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law inc.
Last week, the Federal Court of Appeal handed down its decision in the case in British Columbia involving the application of part VII of the Official Languages Act. The case makes quite clear that, without immediate efforts to repair certain damage, communities will disappear.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Rousseau, earlier, you told the member opposite that other committees were responsible for overseeing the use of French in the digital realm. We are living not only in the digital age, but also in the age of modernization for the Official Languages Act. If done right, the modernized act will be with us for the next 20, 30, 40 or 50 years. The modernized act should include oversight of the French language. I don't have the answer. There is no easy fix, and the rules are complex.
I believe strongly in the importance of promoting French, especially in the cultural sphere. Bear in mind that other countries and other parts of the world are home to people who want to speak French. It's the new trend. We must promote French.
How, then, do we move swiftly to ensure the modernized Official Languages Act takes into account this phenomenon and includes the appropriate measures?
I realize it's quite the challenge.
5:20 p.m.
Associate Professor, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
Thank you.
First, I would say that, on a very practical level, the same principle behind the CRTC's quotas for French-language music on the radio should apply to YouTube and other digital media content.
Second, I don't think it would be difficult to emphasize, within the act, the importance of technology as it relates to the right to work in French in Quebec and other French-speaking areas. Nowadays, people rely heavily on technology to work, so employers should be required to provide French-language software and so forth. Bill 101 could be applied in Quebec, and other French-speaking areas could draw upon that model.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
We have time for one last question.
Ms. Lattanzio, you may go ahead. You have two minutes.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Rousseau, Quebec's English-speaking minority maintains that it has been making an effort to learn French for some time now. School boards even have bilingual schools that offer French immersion programs in Quebec, specifically in Montreal. All of my children went through French-immersion programs as part of their schooling. Today, I'm very proud that my children can speak French and English equally well. Nevertheless, Quebec's anglophone minority—which asserts that it is making an effort and that it believes in the importance of strengthening the French language—worries that its right to receive service in English is being sacrificed in the process.
You spoke of balancing the two languages to make sure this minority community could continue to be served in its language. I'd like to hear you talk more about that.
5:25 p.m.
Associate Professor, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
Significant efforts have been made on the elementary and high school front. The use of French has grown significantly since Bill 101 was introduced in 1977. There is always room for improvement, but I think a balance has been achieved as far as elementary and high schools are concerned. English-language school boards can rest easy.
Where support is needed from the federal government is at the CEGEP and university level. English-speaking universities receive significantly more research funding than do French-speaking institutions.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Thank you, Mr. Rousseau.
I hope the witnesses will forgive me for cutting them off. I tried to be as polite as possible.
I also want to let the witnesses know that they can forward any information they didn't have time to share to the committee clerk. Any additional information will be sent to the committee members. This is common practice.
Today, we managed to finish four rounds. I've never seen that in all my six years. I want to thank the witnesses for the calibre of their input and the honourable members for their excellent questions. I also want to thank the team for the system quality [Technical difficulty—Editor] those participating in person as well as remotely. It takes a whole team to keep everything running smoothly. Thank you to the analysts, the clerk and the technicians.
Have a good week.
The meeting is adjourned.