Official Languages Committee on Feb. 12th, 2026

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

That's an example where it's already working, but do you have an example where it's not working and where you'd like to see action taken?

[Alain Dupuis]

Global Affairs Canada doesn't have a lot of positive measures, or very few. As an example, there's no funding program to help French-Canadian organizations shine on the world stage.

Global Affairs Canada wasn't included in the most recent action plan for official languages, which means the department has very few initiatives to support us, at a time when all our files and priorities, whether it's in education, immigration or culture, now depend on an international component.

We're hoping the regulations can change that.

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

It's odd that there's nothing at all about that in the regulations.

You said there should be purpose statements related to positive measures.

Can you give us examples of tangible purpose statements that could be included in the regulations to advise on the interpretation of positive measures, whether they're related to substantive equality, the differentiated approach or something else?

[Alain Dupuis]

In the brief we sent the committee, on page 6, we propose that the following purpose statement be added to subsection 1.1(1) of the regulations:

1.1(1) The purpose of these regulations is to ensure federal institutions take positive measures that (a) are tangible and tailored to the specific needs and objectives of each official language community; (b) take into account the purposes and principles set out in clauses 2 and 3.1, and in paragraph 41(6)(c) of the act, as well as the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; (c) effectively implement the commitments set out in subsections 41(1) and 41(3) of the act; and (d) have a real and measurable impact on the vitality and development of official language minorities, the protection and promotion of French, and the recognition and use of English and French across Canada.

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

What indicators would you use?

[Alain Dupuis]

We have a number of indicators. We're also proposing to add clause 3.1 to indicate a procedure for positive measures. Proposed subsection 3.1(1) says that positive measures

(a) stem from the federal institution's core mandate and primary responsibilities; and (b) are incorporated into the federal institution's central policies, programs and initiatives; and (c) take the form of one or more specific and directly applicable actions, based on clearly defined objectives and means, and are not limited to statements of principle; and (d) have a measurable impact….

We listed a series of indicators for measurable impacts, particularly regarding language learning, the demographic weight of francophones, the promotion of languages—

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

Say we take the demographic weight of francophones. The act talks about repairing and restoring the demographic weight of francophones.

How do you propose to assess that? Should it be assessed in relation to the first official language spoken or the language used at home?

[Alain Dupuis]

I think there are a number of linguistic indicators. The mother tongue is definitely one, but there's also the first official language spoken and knowledge of the languages. It isn't necessarily one factor or another. I think it's necessary to take all the linguistic variables into account to see demographic growth.

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

What's something that isn't in the regulations that you would really like to see?

You have already named some things. For example, you talked about measures to promote French in international forums.

You also talked about the fact that the regulations don't take into account the differentiated approach. Could you elaborate on that? What does that entail, in concrete terms?

[Alain Dupuis]

The differentiated approach is based on the fact that communities have different needs. It isn't just a matter of differences between anglophones and francophones. Within the Canadian francophonie itself, there's a wide variety of needs.

Some regions have greater needs for support than other regions do. When institutions consult with communities, they have to take that variety into account.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

There are 40 seconds left.

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

You also propose reviewing the regulations every five years.

Can you explain why? How would you do that?

[Liane Roy]

The regulations will make changes within the various federal institutions. We believe it would be useful to review its effectiveness five years after its implementation to continue making appropriate changes.

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

Overall, do you really think it's possible to restore the demographic weight of francophones?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

There are five seconds left. Please give a very brief answer.

[Alain Dupuis]

If the resources are dedicated to it, it's possible.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

We'll move on to the second round of questions.

I will now give the floor to Mr. Dalton for three minutes.

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

Thank you very much for your testimony. I'd like to congratulate you on all the effort you've put in over all these years.

The new version of the Official Languages Act was passed in 2023. It's now 2026.

What do you think of that delay?

Do you think that's acceptable? Does that show a lack of momentum?

[Liane Roy]

We have to live with the delay, but it's unacceptable. We were told that it would take 18 months, so it's already been several months longer. Still, it gave us the chance to work on what we wanted to see in the regulations. That's why we were so disappointed when we saw the draft regulations. The elements we wanted to see in it—the ones that were such a priority for us—simply aren't there.

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

You used some very strong words when you talked about the draft regulations. You talked about a glaring gap. You're discouraged because you feel all this work has been for naught.

Why did you say that? What do you think is going on?

[Liane Roy]

We consulted all of our members, namely, the 25 member organizations of the FCFA, on two occasions. I don't know if you know this, but getting all these people together for consultations is a lot of work. On top of that, the office staff and people from the Treasury Board met on other occasions, perhaps a dozen times.

That's why it's discouraging when we see what they've proposed. It isn't at all in line with what we asked for. We haven't changed our position since 2023. We're still asking for the same things. That's what we wanted to see. So we keep repeating the same things.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

There are 50 seconds left.

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

This reflects what we see a lot in the Liberal government across the board. The words are nice, but the action is lacking.

Earlier, my colleague Mr. Godin asked an official who was going to be responsible for enforcing the regulations. He was told that it would be the Treasury Board Secretariat.

What do you think about that?

[Liane Roy]

The Treasury Board was responsible for ensuring accountability so that each federal institution could fulfill its mandate and action plan. So it's up to Treasury Board to do that work. That's something new since the adoption of the last version of the Official Languages Act.

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

Thank you.