Official Languages Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I call the meeting back to order.

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure has developed a work plan presented in its report, which has been distributed to you by the clerk.

Has everyone received the report? Are we ready to adopt it? Is there any discussion?

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

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

Mr. Chair, to my colleague's great surprise, I'd like to say that we agree with the work plan as submitted and that we, the Conservative Party members, are voting in favour of it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Go ahead, Mr. Dalton.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Thank you.

Did we not have something on Thursday, from 5:30 to 6 p.m.? It was something that—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Yes, you're right. It's mentioned in the report.

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

We agree with what you proposed, but based on discussions with my colleague from the Bloc Québécois, whom I forgot to speak with, once again—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

You trust him.

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

In full transparency, I must say that it happened so fast earlier.

We propose not to extend this Thursday's meeting. We propose that we postpone our work to next Tuesday, because it might be easier for everyone.

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

Perhaps it's better to extend Tuesday's meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I want to make sure we're all clear on this. We want the clerk to request resources for an extra half-hour at the end of Tuesday's meeting. Is that correct?

Is everyone in agreement?

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

That would be easier than Thursday, since many of us get ready to go back to our ridings on Thursday.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Very good. I'll speak with the clerk.

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

Thank you, Mr. Dalton, for pointing that out.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

We don't know yet whether resources will be available. If not, we have a few options.

We can take 15 minutes from the meeting on the commissioner's nomination, or we can add the half-hour to another meeting.

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

What do we need the time for? Is it to provide instructions?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

It's to give Ms. Lecomte, our analyst, instructions.

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

It would be better if everyone were here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Go ahead, Mr. Dalton.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

We should be able to get it done during the two-hour meeting. We could cut the discussion short by a few minutes. That's my preference.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault, go ahead.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

If you agree, we could do it Thursday. How many witnesses do we have that day? I think it's five.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Yes, it's four or five.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

If we meet with the five witnesses on the administrative monetary penalties for 90 minutes and spend the last half-hour on instructions, it will leave more time for our analyst. We need a draft report by February 12, so if we push it to next Tuesday, she'll have just two days.

Would that work?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I want to clarify Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's suggestion, to make sure everyone agrees.

Is Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's proposal plan A or plan B? Do we just want to go ahead with Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's suggestion, or do we follow his suggestion only if we can't get the half-hour on Tuesday?

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

I think Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's proposal should be plan A.