Evidence of meeting #90 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was service.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I will try my luck by moving another motion, to see if there’s any flexibility. It’s important to—
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
We have two witnesses here whom the Commissioner recommended we invite as part of an important study, but, once again, the Conservatives are delaying deliberations by talking about things that have nothing to do with the committee.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I understand, Mr. Serré, and I know it may be upsetting for the witnesses who have come here, but this is all in keeping with the Standing Orders.
Furthermore, Mr. Godin moved his notices of motion within the prescribed deadlines. So, if he's moving the motions, we have to follow the established process.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I'll be quick, out of respect for the witnesses.
Here is my next motion:
Whereas, according to Statistics Canada data, Acadians in New Brunswick are predominantly located in rural areas; Whereas the carbon tax has a greater impact on rural and remote communities; Whereas a 23% increase in the carbon tax is scheduled for April 1, 2024; Whereas 70% of Canadians oppose this increase; Whereas the Premier of New Brunswick opposes this increase; Be it resolved that the committee calls on the government to immediately reverse its decision to increase the carbon tax on April 1.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Since this motion has exactly the same content as the first two, except for the people involved, it is out of order, Mr. Godin.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I challenge your decision, because New Brunswickers have the right to have some room to breathe.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I'd like to clarify that your motion is about New Brunswick Acadians, not all New Brunswickers.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
We are indeed talking about the Acadians of New Brunswick.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
However, all New Brunswickers have the right to relief.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
All right.
We will now hold the vote.
(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 7; nays 4)
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I'm going to try my luck one last time. I have other motions to move, but I understand that my colleague is a little impatient and I respect his intention to move the matter forward.
I move the following motion:
Whereas, according to Statistics Canada data, Fransaskois are predominantly located in rural areas; Whereas the carbon tax has a greater impact on rural and remote communities; Whereas a 23% increase in the carbon tax is scheduled for April 1, 2024; Whereas 70% of Canadians oppose this increase; Whereas the Premier of Saskatchewan opposes this increase; Be it resolved that the committee calls on the government to immediately reverse its decision to increase the carbon tax on April 1.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Thank you, Mr. Godin.
The people targeted in this motion are different, but the content is the same as in previous motions. For the same reasons, this motion is out of order.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Of course, Mr. Chair, I challenge your decision.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
We will now hold the vote.
(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 7; nays 4)
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I still had other motions to propose, notably for the Acadians of Prince Edward Island, for the Franco-Albertans and for the Franco-Ontarians. However, since I know the outcome in advance, I will spare the committee this procedure and allow it to continue its study with the witnesses who are here today.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Perfect, Mr. Godin.
I'll take the liberty of making a comment. One of your motions talked about rural Canadians. The other motions talked about francophone groups outside Quebec also living in rural areas. So a single motion would have sufficed, since the first one encompassed each of the other motions. The result would have been the same, that said.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I understand, Mr. Chair. Time is a very scarce commodity.
As I understand it, Ms. Carr, despite the passage of Bill C‑13, the model is not currently effective. Apart from the Official Languages Act, which doesn't solve the problem, what should we, as legislators, be doing to improve things? Is there anything else we can do? Do you have any suggestions? Are there any regulations to put in place, decisions to make, or new bills to propose to ensure that the model is effective and that Canadians have access to services and can be served in both official languages? That is the goal, after all.