Mr. Chair, before going further, is it possible to interrupt my speaking time? I would like to move a motion for which notice was given earlier. I would like the committee to consider the motion and decide on it today.
That given that the government of Canada has failed to protect manufacturing jobs for Quebecers and that hundreds of foreign replacement workers will be coming to Quebec to work at the NorthVolt plant, and considering that these jobs should have gone to Quebecers, the committee expresses its concern that these foreign workers may not have adequate French language skills to comply with language laws in force in Quebec. And, the committee call on the Minister of Languages, the Minister of Industry, and the Quebec Lieutenant to appear before the committee to discuss this matter, for two hours each.
I think it is important that this committee be able to be the guardian of the official languages. Considering that the decline of French is recognized in Quebec, these contracts and investments have to include protections so that French is respected and so that it is promoted among these foreign workers. As I said earlier, the most vulnerable official language is French. We see that there is a decline, so we have to ensure that we have ways to stop the decline, reverse the curve, and protect and promote both official languages.
I think this motion is relevant to what follows from the agreement the government has signed. I urge the committee to take a position. I hope my colleagues feel the same as I do regarding the official languages and French in Quebec. I hope the committee will take the necessary measures to require that the foreign replacement workers be attuned to French. This is a great opportunity to promote the language of Molière.
We may have to see the contracts, as we have been asking to do for several days. They may contain language provisions, but so far, the government has not wanted to make the contracts public.