Official Languages Committee on Dec. 8th, 2022

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

That's your opinion, Mr. Rodriguez, and I don't share it.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Chair, billsC-11 and C-18 would provide tools to promote the French fact. The Conservatives are filibustering on those two bills.

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

Mr. Chair, I'd like you to ask Mr. Rodriguez to observe the discipline that we have around this table. We have always managed to do so with other ministers. I don't understand why he has adopted this attitude.

Mr. Rodriguez, my question is very clear: if there is some confusion between the powers that are conferred on you and on Ms. Petitpas Taylor, wouldn't it be more in the interest of francophones to give full powers to the Treasury Board?

It's a clear question. It isn't important whether you consider it relevant or not. I'm asking you to answer it. I'm a parliamentarian, and I'm asking the Minister of Canadian Heritage to answer my question.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I'm very pleased to answer you, Mr. Godin. My colleague Ms. Petitpas Taylor is doing an outstanding job, and I have full confidence in her, as does the government. She's the one doing the work.

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

Has the Minister of Official Languages passed on to you the information that emerged from the consultations?

One of the first requests of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne, which represents the vast majority of minority language communities, is that the powers be centralized in the Treasury Board. Under the bill, however, you would be responsible for managing those powers.

Would you agree, in the interest of francophones, to amend the bill to grant the Treasury Board all the powers?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

You can ask me the same question three times, Mr. Godin, but I've already told you that responsibility would fall to the minister responsible for official languages.

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

Then you have nothing—

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

It's the minister responsible for official languages, Mr. Godin.

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

My question—

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

You've been out of power for so long you don't understand how this works.

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

What you just said is beside the point.

I want to know if the Minister of Canadian Heritage is working on the Official Languages Act.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I work with the minister, and I support the excellent work she's doing, but she's the one doing the work.

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

What are you doing, Minister?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Through Canadian Heritage, I support the cultural sector, our artists and creators. That's what you and your party are obstructing by filibustering on Bill C-11. That's what you're obstructing as we want to assist journalists through Bill C-18. That's what you're doing, Mr. Godin. Acknowledge it.

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

Mr. Rodriguez, I do acknowledge our position, but you should acknowledge the fact that all departments and agencies in Canada want those powers to be centralized in the Treasury Board.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

If you had some specific questions—

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

Acknowledge it, Mr. Rodriguez.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, everyone.

The six minutes are up.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair.

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

I have a point of order too, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

There are two points of order. First I will hear that of Mr. Drouin.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I know that we have excellent technical support services and that the microphones work very well, but if members are having trouble hearing, I suggest they use the headsets, which work very well. This is a small room, and I'll have to go get my earplugs because there's a lot of shouting going on.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's a good comment, Mr. Drouin, but it's mainly for the interpreters. I don't know how they can interpret what's being said with all this racket.

Consequently, I would respectfully request that those asking questions and those who have to answer them speak alternately, not at the same time.

Go ahead, Mr. Iacono.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Speaking along the same lines, our colleagues are entitled to ask questions, but they also have to allow the minister time to answer questions freely and to avoid insulting him or categorizing his answers because they don't like them. We should show respect on both sides, and it's also important that we be able to understand who's asking questions and who's answering them.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you.

Now, before we go any further—