I have a lot of respect for Mr. Beaulieu.
I am opposed to saying that English is the common language in Ontario, Manitoba or any other province.
Mr. Chair, you are from New Brunswick. I do not think that the Acadians of your province would like people saying that English is the common language of New Brunswick, even if it is the language of the majority, which makes up 60% of the population.
For my part, I live in a part of Quebec where English is the language of the majority. In various regions of the province, all Quebeckers should speak to each other in French. Currently, 94% of Quebec's population speaks French. Everyone should speak French. As to the common language, there is an important difference between what I say in a speech and what I say with friends. We are talking now about including this concept in legislation, although the legal context has never been examined by the courts. The committee has not heard from legal experts who have examined the issue of a common language because it is not in the act.
I do not think it would be advisable to include such a provision in the act because the majority language is something different.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.