Evidence of meeting #37 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 c13.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Michel Bastarache  Legal Counsel, As an Individual
Yves Giroux  Parliamentary Budget Officer, Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer
Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Michelle Legault
Patrick Taillon  Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Constitutional and Administrative Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Université Laval, As an Individual
Pierre Asselin  President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Thank you for that conclusion, Mr. Beaulieu.

The last speaker, but not the least, is Ms. Ashton, for two and a half minutes.

The floor is yours.

12:55 p.m.

NDP

Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB

Thank you very much.

Mr. Asselin, what impact can the federal government's systematic refusal to admit francophone students to Canada have, and what are the consequences of that for the future of post-secondary educational institutions such as Campus Saint-Jean? Do you know what impact the refusal of francophone Africans in particular is having on those institutions?

12:55 p.m.

President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta

Pierre Asselin

Thank you for your question, Ms. Ashton.

We're concerned about it. We're extremely disappointed that it's happening. We have a labour shortage. The life and future of our community depend on immigration. It's important to maintain services for people who are here in order to stop assimilation. We've wasted 20 years as a result of the lack of restorative targets and approaches. That's what we're suffering from right now. We urgently need to adopt a restorative approach because this is completely unacceptable.

The community in Alberta has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Many francophones from Africa have truly enriched our community. They bring a diversity that everyone in the province appreciates. It's a major gap and a serious cause for concern in the province. We're really very disappointed with the present situation.

12:55 p.m.

NDP

Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB

Thank you for sharing that with us.

It's really a message that we've heard across the country and a considerable concern to us. With Bill C‑13 and the substantive amendments, we have a chance to start correcting that.

I have little time left.

Mr. Asselin and Mr. Taillon, in 30 seconds, what would be your final message to the committee?

12:55 p.m.

President, Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta

Pierre Asselin

In order to leave some time for Mr. Taillon, I would very briefly say that it's time to act.

We're asking MPs to act, to pass a bill. It's imperfect, like everything in life. We will keep on working. We will improve it. The decline has to be stopped right now.

12:55 p.m.

Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Constitutional and Administrative Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Université Laval, As an Individual

Patrick Taillon

This is an important issue that deserves Parliament's attention. Parliament must impose obligations on the government. There are limits to overly vague delegations. You must take the time to amend the bill.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Thank you, Mr. Taillon.

Thanks to the witnesses for being available to appear before our committee and to provide answers to our many questions.

If you feel you didn't have time to answer adequately because the chair was rushing you, and if you believe you can provide us with additional information that would be of use to us, please send it in writing to the clerk as soon as possible. She will then forward it to each of the members of the committee.

With that, I want to thank Mr. Asselin, Ms. Laurin and Mr. Taillon, who is getting ready to catch a flight.

Thank you for sharing your time with us. It was extremely important for us to hear what you had to say.

[Proceedings continue in camera]