Official Languages Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

[Louis Villeneuve, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I want to share my time with my colleague.

[Marc Barbeau]

Yes, I understand how it works.

[Louis Villeneuve, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Thank you for your answer.

[Marc Barbeau]

Thank you for giving me so much time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

There's a minute and forty seconds left.

[Giovanna Mingarelli, Liberal, Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Barbeau and Mr. Rheault, for being with us today.

My riding, Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, in eastern Ontario, is very francophone. Access to services in French is often more difficult for Franco-Ontarians, not only in Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, but also elsewhere in francophone Ontario.

In your opinion, how could this penalty system concretely improve access to services in the minority language for my constituents?

[David Rheault]

The impact will be very limited because the number of institutions covered is very limited. First, it will affect only passenger services and only one air carrier, Air Canada. It's also important to know that Porter Airlines accounts for 35% of capacity at the Ottawa airport, which serves the region. I think it might even have a 40% share of the Canadian domestic market. The point is, the regulations have very little potential to improve services for all your constituents.

As I said in my remarks, no other government institution is subject to these sanctions, and nor is any other government department.

[Giovanna Mingarelli, Liberal, Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON]

That's it, thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you, Ms. Mingarelli.

I'm now going to pass it over to Mr. Beaulieu for two and a half minutes.

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

My understanding of the regulations is that, before imposing a penalty, the commissioner has to issue a warning and then put together a case, which can take years. In my opinion, the amounts don't pose a major financial threat, even if this is expanded, but so much the better if it is. The process is too cumbersome and too complicated. I don't think a $50,000 penalty can be imposed multiple times; it may happen once, after a lengthy process.

Is that how you understand the regulations?

[Marc Barbeau]

Thank you for your question.

According to my reading of the regulations, there are no limits on the ability to issue multiple penalties, as long as there are separate violations. For the same violation, of course, there will only be one penalty. If there are multiple violations, that can result in a number of measures, and it will be up to the commissioner to decide, in theory, whether there will be multiple penalties. It will be up to him to decide how to administer this.

As for the cumbersome nature or length of the process, as I mentioned, it's a well-established regime. That's my impression, but again, I'm not in the decision-makers' shoes. This is a well-established practice elsewhere in the federal government and elsewhere in Canada. I think the commissioner could learn from what's being done elsewhere and draw on the expertise of others, but it will be up to him to decide how he will manage this.

[David Rheault]

I would just add that it's entirely reasonable and desirable in law that there should be a regulated process before a penalty is imposed, and that those subject to the law should be given the opportunity to contest it.

We're fortunate to live in a country where we can contest penalties issued by the government.

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

Yes, I think that in the commissioner's case, it won't be too difficult.

Basically, as far as the mechanism is concerned, it's really the issue of penalties that bothers you. There's an article in the media—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

You have 20 seconds left.

[David Rheault]

Yes, and it also maintains and even accentuates a two-tier system among air carriers, when we should be aiming for consistency. In that regard, we agree with the commissioner.

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

Okay.

It must therefore be expanded.

[David Rheault]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you very much, Mr. Beaulieu.

I'm going to turn the floor over to Mr. Godin, but before I do, colleagues, I would like to inform you that after discussing it with the vice-chair, I have decided to set aside five minutes at the end to discuss the committee's report.

Do I have everyone's agreement on that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Godin, you have the floor for five minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you again, gentlemen.

Would you agree that these regulations create unfair competition for Air Canada? The airline has to bear the costs associated with bilingualism, while Porter Airlines, WestJet and the 70 other airlines that serve Canadians do not.

[David Rheault]

What we have said, and what we're prepared to admit, is that this creates a clearly asymmetrical environment. It results in potential costs for one carrier that are not incurred by others, as well as potential penalties.

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

I don't want to put you on the spot, but I'll repeat my question: Is this unfair competition?

My opinion, as a parliamentarian and legislator, is that it's unfair. In fact, it's the reciprocity of requirements to operate the same type of service that poses a problem. WestJet doesn't have to pay as many bilingual human resources, nor do other carriers. Speaking of carriers, on the list, it's funny, but Canadians are transported by buses like Keolis Canada and all the others of that kind.

You seem uncomfortable answering my question, but help us to help you.

Go ahead, Mr. Barbeau.

[Marc Barbeau]

This law has applied to us since we were privatized, and even before that, when we were a Crown corporation. So it's at least 50 years old. I forget when the law was passed.

Indeed, as mentioned, the name Air Canada has been around for 60 years. That means we proudly represent our country in this regard. We've been conveying and promoting the values included in this act for 50 years. We are fulfilling the obligations we're discussing right now.

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

It's cultural, in a sense, isn't it?