Official Languages Committee on Feb. 7th, 2022

[Roger Lepage]

In my opinion, we are talking about billions of dollars, because the Supreme Court of Canada has acknowledged that, for the 17 primary and secondary schools that we have to build in British Columbia, we would need about $350 million.

If we count the schools that are needed in all provinces, we could easily exceed $1 billion. In addition, if we have to spend money for primary and secondary schools, there's no doubt that we will also have to do so for post-secondary institutions. If we don't, people will simply go and study in English.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Lepage, the Government of Ontario has made us spend money for new schools. The other provinces should also be playing an important role.

[Roger Lepage]

I agree completely.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Serré and Mr. Lepage.

That is all the time we have in this third round of questions.

We have a little time left, but we have to discuss the budget.

Let me close by thanking our witnesses.

Mr. Lepage, this is the first time in six years that we have welcomed you to the Standing Committee on Official Languages. Thank you for your contribution as an individual.

Ms. Brouillette and Mr. Normand, it is always interesting to hear you give your detailed and factual updates. The quality of your testimony, and of the answers to the questions you were asked, was amazing.

Thank you all for joining us today.

We now have to move on to issues in the committee's budget, I would ask committee members to stay online.

Before our guests leave us, I would like to tell them that we are able to hold our meetings in this hybrid format because of a whole team of technicians. So I want to thank them as well.

Goodbye to all our witnesses: Mr. Lepage, Ms. Brouillette and Mr. Normand.

Colleagues, we are now going to approve the budget for the current study. For your information, this morning, the clerk sent you a budget with the details of the expenditures we anticipate for headsets. Are there any questions?

Do you all agree that this budget be approved?

Ms. Gladu, the floor is yours.

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

Yes, I think I was the fastest.

I love this budget, and I move that we approve it.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's short and sweet.

Are there any further questions?

Madam Clerk, is everything in order? With the budget approved, can you proceed?

I know that I cut the debate short. There was to be a fourth round of questions, but it would have been impossible to do it in a way that was fair for the Bloc Québécois and the NDP, who only have half the time available to the other parties. My preference therefore was to end the debate. Mea culpa, but it's my decision.

With that said, do we have anything else on the agenda, Madam Clerk?

[The Clerk]

No, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Next week, we are going to hear from the Commissioner of Official Languages.

[The Clerk]

Next Wednesday, actually.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Right. We will have the commissioner with us at our next meeting.

Thank you, everyone. We are a fine, well‑disciplined team.

I am sorry that I had to interrupt you. I know it's not pleasant, but I have to do it so that everyone can ask their questions in their allotted time.

Ms. Gladu, do you have another question?

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

Yes, and it's fun for you: I move that we adjourn.

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

I second the motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you.

Have a good evening, everyone.

The meeting is adjourned.