Official Languages Committee on March 31st, 2023

Evidence of meeting #56 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was move.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-13

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Warren Newman Senior General Counsel, Constitutional, Administrative and International Law Section, Public Law and Legislative Services Sector, Department of Justice

Julie Boyer Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions, Department of Canadian Heritage

Karim Adam Director, Oversight and Compliance, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat

Chantal Terrien Manager, Modernization of the Official Languages Act, Department of Canadian Heritage

Marcel Fallu Manager, Modernization of the Official Languages Act, Department of Canadian Heritage

Émilie Thivierge Clerk of the Committee

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Chair, there were discussions between the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada. The issue was settled yesterday, when we received amendment LIB‑41.1 and other amendments.

I am delighted with this outcome. The fact is that the opposition parties did extraordinary work. They put pressure on the Government of Canada to make it capitulate to some extent—that's how I interpret it. As I said earlier, I just trust the Government of Quebec because its goal is to defend French in Quebec.

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

I think we can reach unanimous consent. I therefore suggest that when we come to the amendments proposed by the Liberals, and numbered in the 40s, as you pointed out, Mr. Généreux, I won't call for a recorded vote, but will ask whether anyone is opposed.

Is everyone agreed on that?

2:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yes.

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Excellent.

We will now go to amendment LIB‑41.1.

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

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

But they must at least be moved, Mr. Chair.

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Yes, Mr. Beaulieu, they have to be moved.

As I previously mentioned, amendments don't exist until they are moved. That's why I can't move them collectively.

Mr. Serré has moved amendment LIB‑41.1.

Is there unanimous consent to adopt this amendment?

2:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

(Amendment LIB‑41.1 is agreed to)

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

And now we have amendment BQ‑70.

Mr. Beaulieu, are you moving this amendment?

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

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

No, I won't be moving it.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

So amendment BQ‑70 isn't moved.

Mr. Serré, would you care to move amendment LIB‑41.2?

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

Yes, I move it.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

I will now call a vote on amendment LIB‑41.2.

Is there unanimous consent to adopt this amendment?

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Amendment LIB‑41.2 is agreed to.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Mr. Beaulieu, do you wish to move amendment BQ‑71?

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

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

No, Mr. Chair.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Amendment BQ‑71 is not moved.

We'll go now to amendment LIB‑42.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

I'd like to move it, Mr. Chair.

Amendment LIB‑42 establishes some exceptions, adding a number of criteria in terms of francization programs.

We propose requiring federally regulated private businesses to also factor in these criteria.

That Bill C‑13 in clause 54, be amended by replacing line 18 on page 43 with the following:

impede the learning of French, as well as the nature of the activities carried out by the business, whether the workplace is a head office or a research centre, and the relations that the business has with entities outside Quebec.

These businesses need to use English differently from other companies.

I would add that the amendment uses the same words found in subsections 2, 3 and 4 of section 142 of the Charter of the French Language. The proposed exceptions are therefore in the Charter of the French Language.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Thank you, Mr. Housefather.

Are there any questions?

As no one appears to wish to intervene, I'll now call the vote on the amendment.

Excuse me. Do you have a comment to add, Mr. Beaulieu?

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

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

Yes, Mr. Chair.

In the end, I'm going to vote against the amendment, because it establishes a regime that functions by exception.

We don't know where that will take us. It's as if we were allowing all kinds of businesses to avoid being subject to the application of this act.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

Does anyone wish to add anything?

As no one appears to want to comment, we'll call the vote on amendment LIB‑42.

(Amendment LIB‑42 is negatived: nays 10; yeas 1)

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Mr. Beaulieu, would you like to propose amendment BQ‑72?

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

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

One moment, please.

We need to look at the new amendments.

No, I will not move it.

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Amendment BQ‑7 is not moved.

Mr. Serré, do you want to move amendment LIB‑42.1?