Evidence of meeting #21 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 consultations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Thank you very much.
I will now give Mr. Godin the floor for six minutes.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for taking part in this exercise. I think your testimony is important. Today, you can help us understand the process and the regulations.
First, I would like to know one thing. You said that you had 60 meetings throughout the process before drafting the report. In reading the report, I realized a lot of things were missing. You talked about clarity, guidelines and a clear framework. That's not my understanding.
Can you give us an approximate percentage of elements you heard during the consultations that you included in the regulations?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I will respond first and then give the floor to one of my colleagues to list—
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I am asking for a percentage, an order of magnitude.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
You want a percentage, not a list.
Mr. Quell, could you provide the percentage?
Carsten Quell Executive Director, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People & Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes, however, I would say that it is a bit difficult to give the exact percentage, because it is a qualitative product. I can give a few examples of—
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
No, I will stop you there, Mr. Quell. What I want to know is whether you retained many of the elements raised by the people on the ground. That is my question.
Executive Director, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People & Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes, absolutely.
Executive Director, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People & Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
That's hard to say.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
We can provide you with the exact percentage later, if you wish.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
No, that's not necessary.
The second point concerns the application to federal institutions. You indicate, “These regulations apply to federal institutions other than the Senate […]” and then you enumerate all the exemptions.
Who will enforce the regulations?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Just to clarify your question, does it apply to the whole of government?
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I am referring to the second point on the regulations, which you probably have on hand. The “Application” section reads as follows: “These regulations apply to federal institutions other than the Senate, the House of Commons […]”. You then list the institutions that are exempt.
My question is simple. Who will ensure that the various departments, including the Privy Council, will enforce the regulations?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Everyone will enforce the regulations.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
However, if departments fail to comply, who has the power to intervene? Who has the authority?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
All right. Who has the authority to intervene if someone—
Conservative
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Treasury Board will follow up with each department that fails to comply with these regulations.
Is your question about prosecution or—
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
No. I want to ensure it is enforced, and that those who fail to comply are brought back in line.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Absolutely.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Treasury Board will ensure the enforcement, not Heritage Canada. Neither the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture nor the minister of official languages, who does not exist, will ensure compliance.
Is that correct?
Executive Director, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People & Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes, the deputy heads are responsible for implementation of the act within their institutions. The Treasury Board Secretariat is responsible for ensuring oversight and producing compliance reports.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
The Treasury Board Secretariat is responsible for ensuring oversight and producing compliance reports.
Who is responsible for oversight when DND fails to comply with the Official Languages Act and that department does not implement positive measures, such as those set out in part VII?
Executive Director, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, People & Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Treasury Board Secretariat, or TBS, has a compliance framework, which allows it to apply measures depending on the degree of severity.