Official Languages Committee on Feb. 24th, 2026

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

I'll have to say consultation, consultation, consultation, and really understanding how Bill 1, the constitution of Quebec, might affect us. I find it a little alarming that many federal individuals have not read Bill 1 and have not seen how it could change our situation in Quebec.

They talk about federal funding. Neither we nor any organization in Quebec will be able to challenge any law. I mean, without knowledge of the provincial legislation going on right now, there's no understanding of how the feds can function in this new environment in Quebec.

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

In practice, have you observed instances of federal institutions hesitating to take positive measures due to uncertainty about Quebec legislation?

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

I'm not sure about uncertainty, but many federal institutions don't quite know how to work in Quebec. There is the M-30 law, whereby organizations have to have permission to receive federal money if they have a threshold of funding from the province, and that stops it right then, right there.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I have to cut you off there. I'm sorry. The time is up.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Beaulieu, you now have the floor for two and a half minutes.

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

Thank you.

Ms. Martin‑Laforge, I'm going to try to simplify my question.

The official languages support programs have a budget. They have a certain budget for Quebec, for example. Given that this isn't well defined, you're afraid that it will harm the anglophone community.

Do you think that all the funds in this budget should be allocated to the development of the anglophone community, or do you think it would be acceptable for some of these funds to be used to promote French?

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

Mr. Beaulieu, the size of the pie needs to be made bigger. The same thing can't be done with the same pie.

If you need more pie, we'll ask for more money. I don't think anybody should be penalized for having a conflict or competition. Let's call it competition, not even conflict. Competition in Quebec for money should not be on the backs of a minority or a majority community.

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

You're proposing to increase the overall budget, then, so that there can be measures—

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

Something has to change, probably, but we're not sure what. The federal government, in their regulation, has to figure out what it is. I don't think it's for a community to say, “No, don't give money to the francophones in Quebec.”

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

Pardon me, but your fear is that there will be less money for you.

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

No.

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

Then why would there be an erosion?

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

It's the division. We have to work together for the vitality of the English-speaking community and for the promotion of French in Quebec. How about if we try to work together and not say that there's too much there or that there's not enough there? Let's work together.

We are in Quebec. We're 1.3 million people in a place where French is the first official language spoken. We live in Quebec. We want to stay in Quebec. Let's work together and figure it out.

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

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Beaulieu, you have 20 seconds left.

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

Thank you.

Ms. Martin‑Laforge, I completely agree with that, but we're talking about opposing points of view, particularly in your definition of anglophones. Saying that there are 1.3 million is inflating the number: You're including English-speaking immigrants who arrive in Quebec. However, if Quebec wants to ensure the future of its language, it has to teach those immigrants French.

We'll continue the debate, but we have to work together, for sure.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Beaulieu, your time is up. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Martin‑Laforge, were you consulted by the Treasury Board Secretariat when these draft regulations were being drafted?

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

Yes.

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

Are any of the things you suggested included in the draft regulations?

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

As I mentioned earlier, we were consulted. We made our point of view known, as did Treasury Board. It knows our position on the Official Languages Act. For us, everything stems from the act. I would say that they consulted us, and they listened to us to a certain extent. It's just that there's a limit. The same is true for you. How can you get the regulations to reflect the legislation?

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

Unfortunately, they're going to review it in 10 years, not five.

[Sylvia Martin-Laforge]

We want it to be reviewed more quickly. The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada agrees.

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

We won't argue, because we agree.

We made proposals, and we proposed an amendment. Unfortunately, the Liberals voted against that amendment, and we'll only see each other again in 10 years, even though French is in decline across Canada.

Beyond the consultations, today I'm asking you to help us help official language minority communities. In Quebec, it's anglophones. Outside Quebec, it's francophones.

What specific measures would you like to see in the draft regulations to improve the situation and achieve results as quickly as possible?