Official Languages Committee on Oct. 25th, 2023

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

These really are some very good figures, and I'm pleased with them.

Minister, would you please tell us where the situation stands regarding development of the regulations provided for in the act?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

That's a very good question.

Mr. Chair, please let me know how much time I have left.

Dear colleagues, I've learned a lot of things in this job, and I learn more every day. Considering everything you've put on the table, as minister, I have my work cut out for me to create regulations.

It's a five-step process. The first step is preconsultation with stakeholders to identify and and draft regulatory options and hold information sessions. The second step is holding consultations on the proposed regulations. The third step is tabling a draft bill in the House of Commons and publishing it in the Canada Gazette. The fourth step is drafting a memorandum to cabinet to obtain support for the final regulations, which will come into force following ministerial approval and the signing of an order. The fifth step is to coordinate with Quebec and see if provincial rules and the Charter of the French Language apply.

We've started working on all the regulations, and I'm eagerly awaiting the Commissioner of Official Languages' contribution because I need to look at the fines he's responsible for. That work has already started.

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

That explains why you said earlier that you couldn't set a date because there are several steps and stakeholders involved.

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you for being so disciplined.

Mr. Beaulieu, you have two and a half minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to pick up where I left off.

Mr. Minister, 40% of $150 million over five years is about $11 million or 7.5%, if no other money is allocated for French. Will there be more money for French in Quebec?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Funding for French in Quebec calls for a broader conversation with the Government of Canada. I've already initiated a conversation with Minister Roberge. I've also talked to Minister Girard, who is responsible for anglophone communities in Quebec and is very pleased that over $40 million of the $137-million investment is allocated for French language training so more people can access the labour market.

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

That money is being distributed over five years, but we don't know where the $150 million annual budget is going.

I've often asked people at Canadian Heritage about this, but they hardly ever give us answers. Are we going to be told what that money is for?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Of course. I have that information here as an appendix to the public documents. Please feel free to have a look.

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

Okay.

Do you think Quebec's plan to integrate and francise 90% of new immigrants to maintain its demographic weight is legitimate?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

The province of Quebec has every right to francise newcomers. I shared a good story about that with you. I think it's entirely legitimate in Quebec's case. In order for newcomers to function well in Quebec, they have to be able to speak French.

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

Based on its new prospective application indicator and first official language spoken numbers, the federal government says it has to offer services in English to 33% of immigrants in Quebec. Prospective applications could push that proportion up to 40%. However, we want to make French the common language, and we have to francise 90% of newcomers if we want to maintain our demographic weight. That means there's a problem.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

You know Quebec has exclusive responsibility for immigration in Quebec, period.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

Let's go back to Manitoba.

Ms. Ashton, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The action plan was announced last spring. However, no date has been set for the money to flow, and organizations have received no additional funding. Will the money be distributed in early 2024?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Money will definitely be distributed in 2024, but it would be a bit ambitious to expect that to happen early in the year.

What I can say is that we have an action plan and a budget we have to present to Treasury Board. Then we have to flesh out the plan and launch an RFP. All that takes months, not weeks. I've already asked Acadian communities, francophone communities, and anglophone communities in Quebec to be very patient about this issue, which is a big concern for me. I know how badly community organizations need money.

The bigger agreements on education and services to official language minority communities will take longer because I have to engage in bilateral negotiations with each province and territory not once, but twice. That process is already under way.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Under the new act, you have until June 2024 to adopt a francophone immigration policy that will restore and grow the demographic weight of the francophonie outside Quebec.

When will your government make that policy public?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

That's a shared responsibility with Minister Miller. Regarding immigration targets and the government's plan to restore the demographic weight of francophones across the country, we expect that to happen next week.

Regarding what you mentioned, we're going to do that work in accordance with the timeline laid out in the Act.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

To another point, how is Canadian Heritage planning to mitigate the impact of releasing funds when it's so close to the fiscal year end on March 31?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

That's going to take a lot of work, and I'll be pushing the department to get it done.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Ms. Ashton.

Back to Alberta.

Mrs. Goodridge, you have the floor for five minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Canadian Heritage is responsible for Radio-Canada, but would you be able to comment on the decision to award a contract to a Parisian studio instead of a Canadian one?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

I just want to say how wonderful it is to be in Parliament with you. In 2005 or 2006, we were in the same classroom. You were an amazing student. I was the lecturer. We would never have believed you would end up here.

I'll say it: The answer is that Radio-Canada made a huge mistake. That is Minister St‑Onge's responsibility. I encourage you to discuss this with the CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada because I think she'll be coming here. That was inexcusable.

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

Thank you for that. I was indeed a student in 2005.

You said your work is more like being a conductor than the lead minister on this file. The fact that there isn't one single person to talk to, but 50 different ministers people have to talk to when there's a problem, that's a concern for official language minority communities.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

That question resonates with me.

You know, when I was parliamentary secretary, all the power related to official languages was concentrated in Ms. Joly's hands as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister of Official Languages. At that time, ministers said that any official language issue had to go to Minister Joly. Then everyone realized that all ministers had to take responsibility for their obligations under the Act.

You gave the responsibility for implementing this excellent bill, which is now law, to the offices of Ms. Anand, President of the Treasury Board. That's a central agency. You succeeded. We succeeded. I think we'll see major gains. The new implementation centre planned for the Treasury Board will make the job easier.