Official Languages Committee on Feb. 9th, 2022

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Théberge, you said earlier that conditions had to be put in place to ensure that Francophones could work in French.

What are these conditions? Could we envisage, for example, French language teams in the federal public service?

[Raymond Théberge]

Several solutions are possible. First, it is imperative to change certain cultural elements within the public service apparatus that all too often result in English being seen as the language of work and French as the language of translation.

These attitudes must be changed first. One way to do this is to ensure that the leaders in place have the necessary skills. You know as well as I do that it is not necessary for senior public service officials to be bilingual, especially deputy ministers. I come back to what I was saying earlier: if the leadership to set an example is not in place, how can we have the necessary structures to promote—

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

Basically, you say that senior officials should be bilingual. I will quickly give you the example that my colleague raised. If five English-speaking technicians worked at Radio-Canada on a French-language program, such as Le Téléjournal, could they demand that the director speak to them only in English?

The system of one's own language of choice does not always work. At some point, there has to be a common language. I'm thinking especially of Francophones in environments where they are in a very small minority. It's very difficult for them to speak French all the time when everyone else is speaking English. Outside Quebec, in places where there are more Francophones, if there is no way to ensure that French is the common language, I don't think it can work. What do you think about that?

[Raymond Théberge]

I think that's one approach among others. Having said that, I keep in mind that we should always lead by example and that informed leadership is one way to bring about change, but clearly—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Commissioner.

I'm sorry, Mr. Beaulieu, but your time is up.

We complete this final round of questions with our friend from Manitoba, Ms. Niki Ashton, for two and a half minutes.

Ms. Ashton, you have the floor.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Commissioner Théberge, I would like to return to the issue of French second language learning, which continues to be a major challenge. I have already pointed out that, in my personal case, I had to wait more than a year to enrol my four-year-old twins in a French-language daycare centre and that the centre is understaffed, particularly because of COVID‑19. Despite their best efforts, including efforts to have candidates subsidized by IRCC, they have not been able to hire the necessary staff to fill the positions.

It's not a question of available places. We have a nice daycare centre here. It's a staff shortage issue. Despite recruitment campaigns across Canada, they can't find people and they haven't received any help in getting candidates subsidized through IRCC.

There is a lack of staff not only in Quebec's French-language daycares and schools, but also in French immersion schools. Could you talk about the lack of support, not only in terms of funds, but also in terms of personnel related to immigration?

How does the lack of support affect language learning? In a country like Canada, what are we depriving ourselves of by not passing on to a generation bilingualism, support for the Francophonie and learning French?

[Raymond Théberge]

There is certainly a shortage of bilingual staff in daycare centres, French-language schools and immersion schools. In the last budget, funds were allocated to try to reduce the gap in training for French second language teachers. That said, it takes time.

In terms of child care or very high skill work, there may be a need to recruit people internationally and have targeted programs to get people with those skills.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Commissioner Théberge.

Thank you, Ms. Ashton.

Mr. Commissioner, I thank you and congratulate you on your fine presentation. I know that, in carrying out your duties, you are well surrounded and supported by your staff, particularly by Ms. Giguère, Ms. Gervais, Mr. Trépanier and Mr. Leduc. If, because of the time allotted and the interruptions I have caused—for which I apologize—you feel that you have not been able to fully formulate the answers to the questions you have been asked, please do not hesitate to forward any additional information to the clerk.

I thank you all, as well as the whole team, the analysts, the clerk, the technicians and the interpreters.

Do I have unanimous consent to close this session?

Marilyn?

I think she would say yes, so—

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

I propose.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Ms. Lattanzio.

Thank you all and good evening.

The meeting is adjourned.