Yes, Mr. Lacroix.
Evidence of meeting #6 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 francophone.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #6 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 francophone.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Essayist, As an Individual
Okay.
Some newspapers recently published interesting data. I am thinking in particular of an article from the newspaper Le Devoir in November.
The article said that people who came to study French in Quebec were discriminated against. In fact, the federal refusal rate for them was higher than for people from the same countries who wanted to come to Canada to study in English.
The language of instruction chosen is what appeared to be the problem. That's true in Quebec and across Canada. It seems to me to be a huge problem.
I think that it's important to understand what's happening at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration in Ottawa.
What's going on that would allow a thing like that to happen? Is there active discrimination against francophones…
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
I'm sorry for interrupting, Mr. Lacroix, but I don't think you've understood my question.
My question is rather the following. What would you suggest the committee could do to stimulate growth and give greater consideration to the countries that have little biggest pools of francophones?
5:25 p.m.
Essayist, As an Individual
Can the committee make recommendations to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration?
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
No, I am asking you the question. What would you suggest to the committee?
5:25 p.m.
Essayist, As an Individual
I believe that the committee should demand answers from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration about the treatment of francophones. The committee should ask the department why the refusal rate is so high.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Thank you.
I'll continue with a question for Mr. Blackburn.
Mr. Blackburn, what do you think about the idea of raising the francophone immigration rate to Canada by 4.4%? What impact might this have on Quebec and francophone minority communities?
5:25 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Council of Employers
Thank you for your question. I'll try to give a brief answer based on statistical data.
Earlier, I mentioned that the labour shortages were greater in Quebec than elsewhere, and that this is linked to our demographic curve. For months, we have been asking the Quebec government to increase the pools of foreign workers.
You mentioned the countries of West Africa. They were party to the agreement we signed in Paris last summer. In a few weeks, there will be the worldwide launch of a new organization designed to promote the economic Francophonie. This new organization will give Quebec a leading role to play on the world stage with the economic Francophonie, if I can put it that way, and enable us to do much more in this area.
There is a lot of talk of maximum integration, capacity and reach. The Conseil du patronat du Québec is convinced that the best way to achieve successful integration is through work, the communities, the stakeholders and the businesses. If everyone agrees on the objectives to be met, the collective challenge will be a collective success.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Your time is up, Ms. Kayabaga.
The witnesses were very interesting, but time is getting short. In fact, as it's now 5:30 p.m. I need to have the unanimous consent of the committee to prolong the meeting.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
In that case, and I'm sorry about this, we'll have to wrap up the meeting.
Before concluding, I'd like to thank our witnesses, Mr. Hamel, Mr. Blackburn, Ms. Cassie, Mr. Boucher and Mr. Lacroix. Their testimony was truly interesting and heartfelt.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask you to complete your responses by sending them in writing to the clerk of the committee, who will distribute them to all members of the committee so that they can look them over. Don't hesitate to do so.
I would now like to hear what Mr. Godin has to say.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, there is something specific I'd like to ask the Conseil du patronat du Québec.
We discussed the study on francophone countries. I don't know whether this international agreement is public, but I would like Mr. Blackburn to send a copy to the committee if that's possible.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Council of Employers
We'll make it available as soon the official launch has taken place, within the next few weeks.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Thank you, Mr. Blackburn.
I'd like to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day.
Members, stay tuned for just a second before you leave.
On Wednesday, we will conclude this study. After that, there's going to be a week off.
Before the break, the clerk would like a list of witnesses members would like to invite to testify during the immigration study.
So could all the committee members send their list to the clerk before Friday noon. That would give us a head start.
Thank you very much.
The meeting is adjourned.