Evidence of meeting #23 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 women.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Okay, thank you. I just wanted to clarify that.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I knew that we would agree, Ms. Chenette and I, and that one day we would be on the same path.
I'm looking at the description of intersectionality. Before going any further, I'd like to go back to what I was saying before. You can't pick just one group that doesn't have enough visibility; you have to be inclusive. Women are a big group to consider. They should not be a minority, but, unfortunately, even though society has made great strides, there is more work to be done to achieve equality between men and women. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is. I think that's reality.
Let me add this though. If the idea is to provide visibility to groups that are often not heard, we have the opportunity to include them in this study, even if it means increasing the number of meetings. That way we could ensure that these groups are based on sex, race, class, age, disability and sexual orientation.
I think we have a great opportunity before us, further to the initial motion by my colleague Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault. We are refining the motion and trying to see how we can advance the cause of our minorities. I think it is now warranted for the Standing Committee on Official Languages to address this and conduct a study on it.
It will then be up to us, the various parties, to prepare a list of witnesses and provide it to the clerk. We will then determine the number of meetings and decide whether we want to categorize the groups to ensure balance in terms of visibility. There's a whole mechanism that we have the responsibility to put into motion.
I think that Ms. Chenette brought up something interesting, and I want to amplify what she said by proposing this. It's not an amendment, Mr. Chair. It's an open and constructive discussion stemming from what my colleague said.
Liberal
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I don't think we should bite off more than we can chew. Perhaps we shouldn't broaden the study too much.
I would just like to clarify something in the amendment. The French term is 2ELGBTQI+. There is no A, according to the federal government's website and the information provided to me. We looked at the website, so that's what I would put. I think that covers just about everything that is not heterosexual, without wanting to be simplistic. That's more or less what it amounts to. It is clear.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Okay. So I will ask the clerk to circulate the right wording now, so everyone has it in their email inbox.
Had you finished, Mr. Beaulieu?
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Yes. We can go to a vote. The term in question is in the first and second paragraphs.
Liberal
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
I just wanted to ask if we could suspend the meeting for a minute to discuss the amendment before voting.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
We're back.
Ms. Mingarelli had the floor when she asked to suspend.
Do you have anything to add?
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I know we have very tight deadlines to deal with the draft regulations on administrative monetary penalties. Under the circumstances, I suggest that we postpone debate on this proposal. We have a motion on the floor and then an amendment. I think we want to get this right. I think everyone is acting in good faith, so I think we should postpone the debate.
I therefore request that the debate be adjourned. I think that's the right term, isn't it?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
It's a dilatory motion. Therefore, we have to vote on Mr. Godin's motion that debate be adjourned.
(Motion agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Colleagues, we have about 12 minutes left. The next item on the committee's agenda is the drafting of the report on administrative monetary penalties. That is supposed to be done in camera. I'm going to suspend the meeting for three minutes so we can go in camera. I would like us to return in exactly three minutes so we can do this.
Mr. Dalton, you have the floor.
Conservative
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
I have to catch a flight, so I have to leave at 5:30.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
I'm very aware of the fact that you have to leave quickly on Thursday to catch a flight.
I will suspend the meeting for three minutes before we resume in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]