Evidence of meeting #18 for Official Languages in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was languages.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Let me remind all members that they need to stick to the study at hand.
In my opinion, what Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault is talking about is related to the study, so he may continue.
Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault, you have the floor.
Liberal
Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I wonder if you could tell us about the implementation of the action plan for official languages, the assessment measures and the progress made toward the objectives.
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
Without adding to the earlier debate, I would say that it's clear that, as you know, the action plan also affects federal institutions, including in relation to the use of French. There are 19 federal partners that need to respond to and consider the 82 initiatives. Forty-nine of those initiatives are ongoing initiatives, and the rest are new.
As for assessment, we obviously can't fix and correct something we can't measure.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has taken a number of steps to assess the impact of the action plans. Consultations with public authorities and key stakeholders have just been completed as part of the midpoint review. I believe the report will be published this spring, in 2026. Furthermore, there's going to be an evaluation, by which I mean a horizontal audit, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Treasury Board policy.
In that context, we are seeing some results, including some related to funding. First of all, community organizations are getting about $63 million to support their operations. In addition, 22 post-secondary institutions are offering 1,200 French-language or bilingual programs, and seven post-secondary institutions have programs for training bilingual health care workers. Lastly, $50 million is going toward creating a network of early childhood stakeholders and rolling out the initiatives in the communities. This funding is extremely important, especially for small communities.
Liberal
Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
To support the vitality of French in the public space, high-quality community infrastructure tailored to needs is also required. These spaces can be used for service delivery, in particular, but also as places for exchange and gathering, where francophones in minority situations can come together and receive a range of services.
I can attest to the effects of this funding, particularly in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, where several organizations have already benefited from funding for official languages infrastructure.
I would like you to tell us about the government's investments in these community spaces and their impact on francophone communities across the country.
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
As I said earlier, these are not necessarily the largest communities in the world. They are obviously vulnerable, because they do not attract people like big cities.
We need infrastructure. Since 2019, 135 community infrastructure projects worth $52 million have been built in this area, which is important. The goal is to create spaces where people can learn the language in those communities, instead of having to travel long distances to big cities to learn their language.
Liberal
Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
We are studying the administrative monetary penalties regulations, which will support the implementation of the modernized Official Languages Act. When the regulations were tabled, we found that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority was excluded from the administrative monetary penalties regime because it is funded exclusively with public money.
That said, could you share your views on how this institution could benefit from a strengthened framework to better meet its language obligations under the Official Languages Act?
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
Ideally, we would certainly like the regime to apply to that institution.
Other instruments in the act can be used. The commissioner can use other powers granted to her, such as entering into compliance agreements and issuing orders. Keep in mind that the Treasury Board Secretariat has accountability mechanisms in place to ensure the compliance of institutions, such as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. In addition, under the modernized act, the Treasury Board Secretariat can conduct assessments and audits, as needed.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Thank you very much, Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault.
Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Thank you.
Earlier, you gave a few examples, and we can come back to them later, but I would like the data to be sent to me eventually. I use the data from the Public Accounts of Canada. Other ways to get data are available, but they will not fundamentally change anything.
The fact remains that the federal government's support for official languages in Quebec is granted essentially to promote English. The support is given to groups that promote English. There is no doubt that no group advocating for French receives a penny from the federal government. That is why I believe that at a time when French is more threatened than ever and when we have a new amended version of the Official Languages Act, it is essential that the federal government change its approach.
Let us go back to the use of French. According to the Office québécois de la langue française, of all the workplaces in Quebec, such as banks and businesses, federal institutions are the ones where French is the least used as a common language. It certainly does not help the situation of the French language.
What do you think? Is there a way to change that?
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
First, we can all do better.
The new version of the Official Languages Act has definitely changed the landscape for federally regulated institutions.
Mr. Beaulieu, if your concern is not to unduly target the anglophone community in Quebec, but rather to find equity, then I am on your side and we can provide you with supporting data. However, we must look at the big picture. Let usnot lose sight, for example, of the comprehensive agreement with Quebec, which was concluded just before the elections and which provides for money to be paid to Quebec and forwarded to francophone organizations.
Since there is very little time left, I will conclude by saying that the new version of the Official Languages Act gives us these tools and that we can all do better.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
The French-speaking organizations you mention are, in part, the French-language education system, which receives funding to teach English. That kind of thing.
We'll talk about it again. It's an important debate because, as long as the federal government continues to be a major factor in the anglicization of Quebec, things can't continue this way.
Liberal
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I'd like to hear your opinion on the use of English in Montreal.
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
Where are we talking about? At home or in public spaces?
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
All around: at home, in the workplace, in businesses, in tourism.
What is your opinion on the use of English in Montreal, the metropolis of Quebec, the only province whose common language is French?
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
Having grown up in Montreal, I'd say that a lot has changed in 40 years.
Conservative
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
To be perfectly frank, I think there are a lot of challenges, and of course, there are historically anglophone communities who speak English and who have every right to do so.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I'm not talking about rights, Minister. I simply want to know your opinion.
Liberal
Marc Miller Liberal Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC
You're talking about Montreal's anglophone community.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
No, I want to know your opinion on the use of English in Montreal. Do you view it as a good thing or a bad thing?
I'll ask you a simpler question. Is the use of English on the rise on the streets of Montreal, among Montreal families, in short, everywhere in Montreal?
Liberal