Official Languages Committee on March 31st, 2023

[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.

[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?

[Some hon. members]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Excellent.

We will now go to amendment LIB‑41.1.

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

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

[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?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

(Amendment LIB‑41.1 is agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

And now we have amendment BQ‑70.

Mr. Beaulieu, are you moving this amendment?

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

No, I won't be moving it.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

So amendment BQ‑70 isn't moved.

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

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Yes, I move it.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

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

Is there unanimous consent to adopt this amendment?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Amendment LIB‑41.2 is agreed to.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

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

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

No, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Amendment BQ‑71 is not moved.

We'll go now to amendment LIB‑42.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

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

[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.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Amendment BQ‑7 is not moved.

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