Official Languages Committee on May 7th, 2026

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you.

I would also like to hear your comments on another question: How will this act be a step forward in supporting the vitality of our francophone Acadian and Brayon communities in New Brunswick?

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

You want to know what this act will change for these communities. Is that right?

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Yes.

How will this act support the vitality of our communities?

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

It is our communities that bring the francophonie to life and make it thrive in New Brunswick. So it must continue.

Several years ago, I worked for a bank, and all the documents were in English, like the mortgages and all that. That wasn't so long ago. I think that these documents are now translated into French. I haven't worked there for a long time. However, it is important that all these businesses in New Brunswick use both official languages, English and French.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

We also see it in New Brunswick. With the exception of Quebec, which is a distinct case, for Canada outside Quebec, New Brunswick is the only province where the whole province is covered.

Can you tell us how New Brunswick stands out in terms of its language policy compared to other provinces? What sets New Brunswick apart?

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

We are equally divided when it comes to English and French, particularly when it comes to health at the provincial level.

If I go to the hospital or schools, we also have a linguistic duality that protects us, except in early childhood. So, we still have work to do.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

The act will grant new rights to workers and consumers.

In your opinion, what additional tools or support measures would be necessary for Acadian workers and consumers to fully understand and exercise their rights under the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act?

I'd like to hear your comments first, Ms. Arseneau‑Sluyter. I would ask Mr. Chaisson to add his comments afterwards.

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

We will need to do some promotion. We are so used to speaking English too easily. We are so close to being assimilated. I am certainly not talking about regions like Caraquet, but throughout the southern part of the province, it doesn't even occur to us to speak French. Really, I find that in New Brunswick, we are a society….

We are a bit discouraged. It's difficult to always make the effort and have everyone going the opposite way. It's almost embarrassing to ask to be served in French. I think the federal government will really have to do its homework and promote the fact that we have these rights and that we can use them.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chaisson, do you want to add anything?

[Ali Chaisson]

I believe there is a course of action to take and that the federal government must put pressure on business activities across Canada to encourage banks, for example, to adopt processes that will not only ensure respect for languages in branches, but also implement a policy on signage. Having someone working at the counter who can serve is all well and good, but if no one knows that we have these rights, we haven't really accomplished anything.

I feel that the federal government must show leadership to implement these regulations. They must impose financial penalties when businesses do not fulfill their obligations.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you.

In conclusion, Ms. Arseneau‑Sluyter, we will need to make recommendations regarding these proposed regulations, but we can also recommend that they be adopted as is.

From what I understand, there would be a need to recommend measures to promote vitality, but as for the content of the proposed regulations themselves, do you recommend that they be adopted as is?

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

Yes.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

You therefore recommend adopting these proposed regulations in their current version. Is that correct?

[Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter]

Yes, in New Brunswick's case.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you.

In closing, Ms. Arseneau‑Sluyter, I would like to point out that this is your last appearance as president of the SANB before the Standing Committee on Official Languages. Your term is coming to an end. I would like to take a moment to congratulate you and thank you for all the work you have done over the years to defend the rights and promote the interests of the Acadians of New Brunswick. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you, Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault. I believe that, as you can see, all the committee members share your sentiment.

Thank you very much, Ms. Arseneau‑Sluyter.

Before moving on to the next member, I have a small request to make of you, Mr. Chaisson. I don't think the sound from your microphone is loud enough. Could you lower it just a little? Yes, that's right. Perfect. The next time you speak, we will see if it works.

I now give the floor to Mr. Beaulieu for six minutes.

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

Thank you.

To complete the history that my colleague has provided, the Bloc Québécois has been working to ensure that Bill 101 applies to federally regulated businesses for at least two decades. Over the years, we have managed to gain the support of all opposition parties.

As Mr. Godin said, there were in fact negotiations with the government of Quebec, which probably feared that it would not pass. It then reached an agreement to bring the Official Languages Act and the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act closer to the Charter of the French Language. In the end, it was the NDP that joined the Liberals in voting against this.

We therefore have two language regimes in Quebec. The act is quite ambiguous, because the Commissioner of Official Languages has the authority to take action to ensure that the rights provided for in the act are acknowledged, but the minister is the one responsible for enforcing it. Furthermore, the regulations mention the minister, but they do not specify the role of the Commissioner of Official Languages at all.

Mr. Campofredano, do you have anything to add to that? In the end, aren't these regulatory measures ambiguous?

[Gianluca Campofredano]

Yes. What I can tell you about that is that the federal government promotes two languages, whereas in Quebec, the Charter of the French Language focuses on French. The essence of our message is to give a general reminder that Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language, has more bite. It provides more details, more specific articles on situations, for example, that involve the recruitment of staff, the knowledge of French when hiring a worker. There are also safeguards.

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

It wasn't loud enough, but the technicians are going to turn up the volume. It's not just for you. It is also for the other witness who is with us remotely.

[Gianluca Campofredano]

There are several safeguards. There are several penalties as well. This is something I have not seen in the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act or in the proposed regulations. There are several types of administrative and civil penalties that add bite to the Quebec act, but are not present in the federal act. It's part of our recommendations.

Also, in my introductory remarks, I wanted to mention that the federal government has a great deal of power for demonstration and protection. If the federal government took care of protecting the French language in Quebec, it would send a strong signal to speakers, workers, and people in Quebec that protecting the French language is not just an internal mission and that it is truly promoted by the Canadian federal state.

I think there is a lot of work to be done. Furthermore, in certain fields, including the telecommunications sector and the banking sector—

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

Excuse me for interrupting, but our time is limited.

The commissioner's work requires a lot of resources. I think that the Office québécois de la langue française has over a hundred employees. However, the commissioner will not necessarily have additional resources to take on this role. So we will see. Moreover, she cannot use her new power to impose financial penalties. She has the power to make orders, but not assess penalties. We don't really know how it will turn out. A case could possibly go to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and there could be penalties. However, it seems much less effective than the Charter of the French Language. We will see.

Currently, it is said that about 40% of federally regulated businesses are not registered under the Charter of the French Language. These businesses will eventually be automatically registered under the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act. It is certain that many federally regulated businesses would rather subject themselves to federal law. Those subject to Bill 101 and who have difficulties complying with it can simply transfer their obligation to the federal side. As I understand it, it is the Minister of Canadian Heritage who can authorize a business to be subject to Bill 101. In fact, federal law states that he can enter into an agreement. So we'll see the result.

For you, should the proposed regulations be much more comprehensive to define the role of the Commissioner of Official Languages?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Beaulieu, I'm sorry, but there are only 10 seconds left.

Mr. Campofredano, I am asking you once again for a very quick response.

[Gianluca Campofredano]

Absolutely.

In Quebec, there is the Office québécois de la langue française, but there are also other agencies, such as the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, which are responsible for applying or enforcing Bill 101. I think there should be a few more resources at the federal level, especially for the commissioner.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

Some colleagues asked for the volume to be turned up. Our technicians have already turned the volume up to the maximum. There are two potential solutions. First, you can use headphones to amplify the sound. That helps a bit. That's one suggestion. Second, we can ask witnesses participating by video conference to speak a little louder. Those are the two possible solutions.

I now give the floor to Mr. Godin for five minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Campofredano, first of all, I would like you to give me your analysis of the criteria that have been established concerning regions with a strong francophone presence. Those are very quantitative criteria. I am not sure that was the intention when we, the legislators, wrote the act. Part IV of the Official Languages Act deals with more qualitative criteria. I believe that francophones should be counted not only in terms of quantity, but also in quality.

Could broadening the criteria be a direction worth exploring? High-density regions are few in number. I am disappointed with the covered area, so I am looking for a way to broaden the criteria. I see my colleague from Nova Scotia on the screen. He gave a very good speech on Tuesday about the fact that Halifax is not even a region with a strong francophone presence.