Evidence of meeting #35 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 regions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Hominuk, you mentioned an active offer instead of a stick to hit people with. Can you tell us a little more about that idea? I like it, but could you explain it?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
The active offer is very simple: when someone comes in, they are asked whether they want service in English or French. It's as simple as that. It's good for business too.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Yes, it's good for developing business.
But, that aside, you can understand that, when a company does not comply with the legal obligation, there have to be ways of insisting on the obligations and requirements. Is a sliding scale possible?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
I am sorry, but your time is up, Mr. Godin.
The floor now goes to Mr. El‑Khoury, for three minutes.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My question goes to Mr. Hominuk and Mr. Petit‑Frère.
At home in Quebec, la belle province, we firmly believe that the language of Molière brings riches beyond compare to Canada and to humankind.
What efforts have you made, what measures have you taken in your organizations to protect, promote and prioritize the French language? What more do you want Canada to do?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario works entirely in French. Our members are 150 not-for-profit organizations and thirty or so Ontario institutions. Everyone stands behind and adheres to our mission, which is to ensure that French has a place in Ontario. That is in our DNA.
We want Canada to help us to ensure that every francophone in Ontario remains francophone for the rest of their days, and that will also be the case for coming generations.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
For example, do you have a francization policy for new arrivals to your province?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
At the moment, the Assemblée is conducting an exercise called the Estates General of French Ontario. Welcoming immigrants is one of the topics we are delving into with the communities. I would really like to wait until the end of the exercise before I answer your question. However, it is clear that, in all the communities that we visit, people completely understand that French-speaking immigrants are going to play a role in the future of French in Ontario, because they will become part of the Franco-Ontarian community.
The issue now is to put the tools in place in our communities. People are already working hard on integration, particularly in our school boards. A lot has already been done in the communities, but we have to go a lot farther in order to ensure that immigrants are genuinely integrated and that a genuine sense of community has been established.
I will let my colleague finish my answer.
Director of Policy and Government Relations, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
We choose not to talk about francization, but rather about affiliation. At the Estates General of French Ontario, the discussion is about people on different paths, who are having difficulty experiencing the feeling of affiliation with the Franco-Ontarian community. Yet they are fundamentally francophones who use French every day.
Our goal is to ensure that space for francophones in French Ontario is growing, but in addition, to ensure that the visibility and success can be experienced in different ways and with different identities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Thank you, Mr. El‑Khoury.
On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank the witnesses for being here.
Mr. Hominuk, I would like to thank you particularly for mentioning Etobicoke, my region. We do not often talk about it at the Standing Committee on Official Languages. I just wanted to say that. It really shows that you are thinking of the entire province. Thank you for that.
Ladies and gentlemen, as witnesses, you are now free to leave.
My dear colleagues, I would like to take a minute or two to discuss two matters with you.
First, we have not finished dealing with several matters in committee. I propose that we keep the second hour of next Tuesday's meeting to do so in camera. We will be talking about reports and other confidential matters.
Is everyone in agreement?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Second, you have received the media release about the report on part VII of the Official Languages Act. I am going to table that report this week.
Do I have your approval to distribute the release?
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I agree, but we provided a dissenting opinion. Is there a way to mention that in the release?
Lucie Lecomte Analyst
If that is the will of the committee, I can do that.
Liberal
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Excuse me, but what exactly are we saying no to?
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
He asked whether anyone would object to mentioning that the Bloc Québécois had provided a dissenting opinion.
Is that the question that was asked?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Give me a moment to consult the clerk.
A member said no, so it's no.
However, can I distribute the media release?
Conservative
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Was it no to the idea of mentioning the dissenting opinion, or no to—
