Official Languages Committee on Nov. 8th, 2023

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Thank you, Ms. Goodridge.

We are now going to go over to the Liberals.

Mr. Iacono has the floor for five minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Welcome, Minister.

I hope that everything is going well for you so far and it is not too difficult.

You said earlier that you learned French when you were young. Can you talk a bit about the importance of that experience and how we could improve bilingualism in Canada?

[Anita Anand]

We live in a country where there are a lot of immigrants. My parents, who came from India, were also immigrants. They are dead now and I miss them.

I do not know why, but when I was young, my father told me that I had to learn French. He did not say the same about his own language.

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

I have a point of order.

[Anita Anand]

He told me it was crucial to speak French.

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

I have a point of order.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

We are listening, Mrs. Goodridge.

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

Thank you.

The Minister refused to answer my questions about her mandate at Treasury Board, because that was not related to the study underway; now she is talking about her childhood.

How is that relevant?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Chair, I think we have to respect the Minister, who is appearing today to answer our questions. Our colleague Mr. Iacono asked her some questions, and the member, who is participating remotely, interrupted him to say I don't know what, exactly. He is entitled to ask questions and the Minister is entitled to answer them.

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

Ms. Kayabaga, I have to interrupt you...

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I have a point of order.

Let's get back to Mr. Iacono's questions and continue the meeting.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Ms. Kayabaga, I remind you that Mr. Iacono did exactly the same thing earlier.

You cannot accuse one person of something and then do the same thing as they did.

We are listening, Ms. Kayabaga.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Chair, you have a duty to let me speak when I raise a point of order as a member of the committee.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Ms. Kayabaga, I am going to let you finish, but if I find that what you are saying is becoming debate, I will interrupt you.

You have the floor.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Chair, I will go back to what I was saying, to say that we are entitled to speak, as members of the committee. You, as chair, have a duty to let me speak. Unfortunately, you are cutting me off and I have to repeat myself once again.

I would like us to get back to the fact that our colleague is asking the Minister questions and that he is waiting for answers from her. I would therefore like us to let him finish, because right now we are taking up his time.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

I want to make sure you have finished on your point of order, Ms. Kayabaga.

If that is the case, I will give the floor back to Mr. Iacono.

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

Mr. Chair, give me a minute, because right now I am a bit confused. I do not know whether the Minister had finished her answer and I am not prepared to continue, since I do not know where we are. I hope you stopped my timer.

I am going to ask the Minister whether she has finished her answer. After that, I will continue. You cannot restart my timer if I do not know where we are.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Ask your question, please.

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

Minister, had you finished answering the first question when we interrupted you?

[Anita Anand]

I would like to continue, because that question relates to my work. It is somewhat rare for an anglophone minister whose parents were immigrants to be able to speak French as I do. That is why my comments are relevant. It is also important, also because there is a lot of diversity in our country. We must therefore create an environment in which everyone is able to speak both official languages, and support both languages.

Thank you for your question.

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

Regarding the investments in your plan, do you have enough money to implement Bill C‑13?

[Anita Anand]

Yes, that is the case right now. If we need additional financial assistance, I will request it.

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

How much money is the government investing in language training for public servants?

[Carsten Quell]

I cannot give you exact numbers, but each department is responsible for training its employees.

At Treasury Board, led by Ms. Anand, we plan to publish a new language training framework that will provide measures to help members of equity groups learn a second official language.

The federal government has developed a cross-sectional plan to ensure consistency and make sure that all new employees have an opportunity to receive the language training that will enable them to rise through the ranks and hold posts that involve new responsibilities.