Evidence of meeting #64 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 immigration.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
When it comes to public services, we're talking about different things.
Can you hear me?
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
You talked about French in public services. Obviously, I'm talking about immigration.
Should we promote French more in public services in order to recruit, welcome and support French-speaking immigrants? Will investing in public services in French help improve support for the French-speaking immigrants we want to welcome?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
If I understood the question correctly, it's clear that at all times and as far as possible, we need to support people's language development and skills. If people are not able to use their second language or their mother tongue, there will certainly be a decline of the language in the community.
That said, I'm not sure I understood your question.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Unfortunately, that's all the time you had, Ms. Ashton. I'm sorry about that.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
There is very little time left to do a round with all the political parties.
As chair, I would like to ask you the following question.
Bill C‑13 will be receiving royal assent shortly. How is the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages preparing for what's to come, with this new modernized act and this new feather in the cap of the commissioner and his office?
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Over a year ago, we set up a special working group to examine the impact of the new powers to be granted to the Office of the Commissioner. This group examined what these new powers will mean for our resources, our organizational structure, our relations with the communities, and so on.
We are currently working on a deployment plan. As soon as the bill receives royal assent, we will ask the Treasury Board for funding to implement it. This will be followed by a second grant application to maintain it.
One thing is certain: we will need resources that we don't have at present, for example to carry out mediation. At the moment, we don't do mediation. Our organization will become much more litigious and, as a result, we will need lawyers, unfortunately.
Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
We're getting ready. I hope that when Parliament reconvenes in the fall, we will have the opportunity to present our new plan to you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
In any case, we're looking forward to it. This modernization has been long overdue. I know that you have been preparing for it. We can't wait to see the final result.
Mr. Théberge, Mr. Leduc, Mr. Giguère and Ms. Gervais, thank you for your time today.
As I said earlier, I've brought in the heavy artillery so that we can adjourn the meeting.
The meeting is adjourned.