Official Languages Committee on Oct. 18th, 2023

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Certainly. You have the floor, Mr. Iacono.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I just want to point out that it is 6:42. Some people have to leave the meeting. I have another committee meeting starting in half an hour. I think we have dwelled on this long enough.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I would like to request that we adjourn. We agreed to stay two or three minutes longer, but it has now been more than 10 minutes longer.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Samson, it is in fact your turn to speak.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I would like the committee to adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I'm sorry, Mr. Drouin was not finished.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I was not finished.

If the Minister of Official Languages were to make decisions about the CBC's regular business, I think that would be problematic. I know that is not the case, and I am not saying this for partisan reasons. That was not the case under the Conservatives. It would not be the case under the Bloc if it were in power. It would not be normal for a minister to be involved in making day-to-day decisions at the CBC.

By the way, the Minister of Official Languages is not responsible for the CBC/Radio‑Canada, as you know. You all know that. We approve the budgets for the CBC/Radio‑Canada; they make decisions on regular business. That is normal. It is apolitical. Politicians do not decide who controls what. As frustrating as it may be, it is not for politicians to decide whether Radio‑Canada has made a poor decision. We can attack them, but it is the CBC/Radio‑Canada who should appear before the committee.

Then, if we want to hear from other ministers on this issue, or look into the matter in greater depth, let me reiterate that we can invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and not the Minister of Official Languages. Ask him about it. Take 10 seconds to ask him how much time he devotes to the CBC/Radio‑Canada. I can guarantee you that he will say he does not devote any time to it whatsoever since it is not his responsibility.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Drouin.

Mr. Samson, you have the floor.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Once again, I would like the committee to adjourn. We agreed to continue for two or three minutes to make a decision. We are already 15 minutes past the scheduled time.

I would therefore like the committee to adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Samson.

You certainly have the right to request that when you have the floor.

There does not appear to be unanimous consent to adjourn. We will have to vote.

Does the committee wish to adjourn?

(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I simply want to point out that I cannot stop people who have to leave. I was among them, but the meeting can continue as long as there is quorum.

We were discussing Mr. Serré's amendment.

Ms. Goodridge, you have the floor.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ministerial responsibility is a very important part of our political system. Ministers must justify their decisions to the elected members. I think we should vote against this amendment and vote in favour of the original motion by my colleague, Mr. Généreux. I do not think we need to discuss this any longer. The two positions are clear. I suggest that we vote on the amendment and the motion so we can adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Dalton, you have the floor.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

We know that the minister will be here next week. We are willing to add time since this is an important matter.

The minister might defend himself by saying it is not his responsibility. We can also share our concerns with him and ask him questions.

We understand what the Liberals said, but it is important to us to ask questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Anyone else?

Let us now vote on Mr. Serré's amendment.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Can you remind me what exactly the amendment is?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Serré's amendment was to delete—

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I am asking for the benefit of everyone here.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

The clerk will read it out.

Please go ahead, Madam Clerk.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Audrée Dallaire]

Mr. Serré's amendment would amend Mr. Généreux's motion by deleting “as well as the Minister of Official Languages”.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

There you have it.

(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Let us return to Mr. Généreux's original motion.

Does anyone wish to discuss the motion without amendments?

Let us vote then.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

So it is agreed to, unanimously.

Thank you all for your patience.

See you next Monday.

The meeting is adjourned.