Official Languages Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2023

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

We are not going to move amendment BQ‑2, but rather replace it with a new amendment, which you have all received. It constitutes an addition to the paragraph in question.

Following the sentence ending with “in order to protect them”, in reference to francophone and anglophone minorities, we are adding a reference to the fact that their different needs have to be taken into consideration.

Quebec's anglophone community has needs that are very different from those of francophone communities outside Quebec and Acadian communities, which do not have access to basic services in French, do not have enough francophone schools and lack health care in French. In Quebec, on the other hand, anglophone institutions are overfunded and services in English are available everywhere. English does not need to be strengthened, because it is not threatened at all in Quebec. It's French that is threatened. There may be needs to be met in terms of French language instruction. That needs to be looked into.

In any event, it's clear that the anglophone community's needs are very different from those of francophone minorities outside Quebec. This amendment simply reflects that. I believe it's important for the Official Languages Act to take this into account.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

So amendment BQ‑2 as we had it in our amendment bundle was not introduced. Instead, Mr. Beaulieu moved what he just said.

You all received the wording replacing amendment BQ‑2.

Do you have any questions? Would you like to say something about this?

Mrs. Romanado, you have the floor.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

I just want to clarify something.

So this amendment replaces amendment BQ‑2 that was introduced. Is that correct, Mr. Beaulieu?

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Yes, that's right.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Perfect.

I just wanted to make that clear, because I had the two documents in front of me.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Actually, the other amendment was never introduced in the end.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

All right.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Amendment BQ‑2 sought to remove the word “English” from the bill.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Perfect.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Now the amendment changes the proposed version of paragraph 2(b), on page 3 of Bill C‑13, to take into account the fact that French and English linguistic minority communities have different needs.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Thank you very much for that clarification, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Are there any other questions?

We will now go to a vote on the amendment.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 10; nays 0 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We will now move on to amendment CPC‑5.

Mr. Généreux, you have the floor.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Chair, we will not be introducing amendment CPC‑5.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Amendment CPC‑5 will therefore not be introduced.

We are now at amendment BQ‑3, which is on page 15 of our amendment bundle.

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

In Bill C‑13, this amendment simply adds...

I apologize, I'm looking for the spot.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

It's line 34 on page 3 of the bill. I have it in front of me. Would you like me to read it, Mr. Beaulieu?

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

That's all right, I found it.

Basically, after “of English” we would add “and that the goal of the Charter of the French Language is to protect, strengthen and promote that language”.

It's the purpose of the Charter of the French Language. I believe the charter plays a crucial role in protecting French. This just recognizes that in Clause 3 of the bill.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Are there any questions?

We will now proceed with a vote on amendment BQ‑3.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to introduce a second part of the amendment that affects the same provision. You should have received the wording. I don't know if it was sent out to everyone.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We're preparing to send it out. It will take a moment.

Now that everyone has read the document, are there any questions on the proposed amendment?

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Would you like me to read it, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Okay, you start by introducing it, Mr. Beaulieu, then I will turn the floor over to Mr. Garneau.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

We'd like to add paragraph 2(b.2) to the Official Languages Act, which seeks to ensure the existence of a majority-French society in a Quebec where the future of French is assured.

I feel it's crucial that the Official Languages Act respect that. If we don't maintain a Quebec where the future of French is assured, soon we will have no French in the rest of Canada or North America.

If we believe in linguistic duality in Canada, if we want two official languages, and if we want to move toward true equality between the official languages, Quebec must ensure that the demographic weight of francophones is maintained to secure the future of French.