Official Languages Committee on April 21st, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

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

I believe the time we had set aside for the debate has run out and that we're going over the time allotted for the meeting.

Essentially, Air Canada has benefited from subsidies for a long time. It used to be a public institution, but it was privatized. It's still subject to the Official Languages Act and is required to provide services in English and French. Personally, I think we're fully within our rights to apply pressure. During the clause-by-clause study of Bill C‑13, we submitted a proposal to compel institutions to meet their obligations, but unfortunately, it was rejected. However, I believe we can still do so under the current act. In fact, even the Commissioner of Official Languages supported this approach.

In short, there is no law that requires it, but it would be a good thing if there were one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Ms. Chenette, you have the floor.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

To answer Mr. Bélanger's question, we're not telling Air Canada whom it should hire. We want to have a conversation with the chair of the board of directors to find out about the criteria for hiring the next president and chief executive officer, whether male or female. According to Air Canada's mandate, services must be provided in both official languages, and we want the president and chief executive officer to affirm that this is important to them. That is the difference. We're not here to make decisions on behalf of the chair of the board of directors or the board itself, but we want them to tell us about Air Canada's direction. I think it's fair for the committee to ask this kind of question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Bélanger, you have the floor.

[Jim Belanger, Conservative, Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, ON]

Actually, at his level, I don't know if being bilingual is that important. I don't know if he needs to be bilingual to do his job. After all, he's not out in the field, and he doesn't talk to many people.

That's all I wanted to say.

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

He issued a statement after the plane crash, while he was Air Canada's spokesperson, and it was delivered in English only, despite everything that has happened in the past.

Personally, I think that's part of his role as Air Canada's spokesperson, unless he hires another spokesperson.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Does anyone else have anything to add?

Mr. Dalton, you have the floor.

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

I just want to say that the president had several years to learn a few words to communicate or to read in French. He was familiar with the laws and the importance of having a good command of the French language. He knew all that. I think that's an important point, but I also understand what my colleague is saying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Does anyone else wish to speak?

Since it appears no one seems to wish to speak, we'll proceed to a vote on the motion.

Does the committee wish to adopt the motion unanimously or proceed to a vote?

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

I suggest that the motion be adopted unanimously, but I'm not sure if my colleagues agree with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Does everyone agree to adopt the motion unanimously?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I know we've gone over the time allotted for the meeting, but would anyone like to have the floor?

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

Mr. Chair, if my colleagues agree to extend the meeting, on a much more positive note, I would like to table another motion.

We had the good fortune to hear an astronaut speak French on the moon. Speaking both official languages is a source of Canadian pride. I think this is worth mentioning, since it's the first time the French language has been spoken so far out in space.

I would therefore like to call on the committee to draft a letter of congratulations to astronaut Jeremy Hansen. I propose:

That the Standing Committee on Official Languages send a letter of congratulations to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen in recognition of his historic participation in the Artemis II mission, including his use of the French language aboard the mission, the furthest French has ever been spoken from planet Earth, and that the committee recognize this outstanding achievement and its significance for the promotion of the French language, one of the two official languages of our country, Canada.

I think Air Canada's president and chief executive officer should take a cue from this passionate Canadian astronaut.

It would have been more appropriate to bring this up earlier, but since the last few meetings were in camera, I'm tabling the motion today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Does anyone wish to speak on this motion?

Mr. Bélanger, you have the floor.

[Jim Belanger, Conservative, Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, ON]

Just a quick note: I think this is also the first time the English language has been spoken so far. There are two official languages.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Since there are no further comments on Mr. Godin's motion, is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.