Official Languages Committee on Nov. 8th, 2023

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

I think that—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Serré had the point of order. Then it will be Mr. Lauzon.

Have you finished, Mr. Serré?

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Mr. Lauzon, the floor is yours for a point of order.

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

You'll allow me the Quebec expression, "What's good for Minou is good for Pitou." Mr. Chair, you asked twice to revisit the subject of the motion introduced by the Conservatives. We're discussing the leaders' debate and Quebec's Bill 96, the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec. So we've gone way off point.

Is it possible to apply what you said earlier to certain members of the committee? We respected that and now we're back on track.

Now let's do the same thing with Mr. Beaulieu.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Let's go to Mr. Iacono's point of order.

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

I'd like to add that we've discussed racism several times. However, the motion doesn't concern details such as racism. I also believe that the witness very clearly explained that the public may appeal to the Radio-Canada ombudsman if they aren't happy about what they've heard.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Thank you, Mr. Iacono.

I'm actually going to invite Mr. Beaulieu to ask questions that are related to the motion before us.

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

I think it's very easy to make the connection. The episode that is the subject of this motion reflects a form of disrespect of Quebec and the Quebec accent.

All the examples that I cited reflect the same thing. I don't think that a public radio or television broadcaster should broadcast such content.

During the leadership debate, for example—

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

You have 20 seconds left.

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

—do you admit that a mistake was made?

[Catherine Tait]

Was that a question?

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

Yes.

[Catherine Tait]

I'm sorry. I missed the question.

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

Earlier, before my friends distracted us, I was talking about the fact that, during the leaders' debate, Shachi Kurl attacked Quebec, the Charter of the French Language and so on.

Then she refused to apologize, even though—

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

Mr. Beaulieu—

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

Do you think she made a mistake?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Your time is up, Mr. Beaulieu.

If you wish to respond, Ms. Tait—

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

Mr. Chair—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Allow me to finish with Ms. Tait; then you can raise your point of order.

Ms. Tait, do you have anything to add in response to the question?

You are signalling that you don't.

We will go to someone else.

Go ahead, Mr. Iacono.

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

I don't have any comment.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

That's exactly what I was thinking.

We will now give the floor to Ms. Ashton for six minutes.

Go ahead, Ms. Ashton.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair

Welcome, Ms. Tait.

First of all, why was the decision made to go with a Paris studio without considering Quebec's expertise?

[Catherine Tait]

As I explained earlier, it was in response to the proposal that was made by a European company that specializes in podcasts in some 20 languages. In that specific case, the Radio-Canada employee responded to the proposal. That was the mistake. The thing to do was actually to consider entering into an agreement with a Quebec business.

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

How do you intend to ensure that these kinds of decisions aren't made again and that Quebec expertise is fully appreciated.