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.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
I am sorry, Mr. Beaulieu, but your time is up. Thank you.
My dear colleagues, we now move to the second round of questions. Given that the meeting started later and that our time with the witnesses was suspended in part, I am going to have to shorten the second round. So here are the times for the members: Mr. Dalton, three minutes; Ms. Mingarelli, three minutes; Mr. Beaulieu, one minute and a half; Mr. Gill, three minutes, and Mr. El‑Khoury, three minutes.
After the question and answer period, I will need two minutes to bring an administrative matter to your attention.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I am sorry, but, according to the speaking times you have just indicated, the meeting will finish after 5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
That's fine. I don't want to lose any more time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
I just want to give a little time to the colleagues who had to wait in order to ask their questions.
Mr. Dalton has the floor now, for three minutes.
Conservative
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
My thanks to the witnesses.
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario represents 800,000 people. That's a lot of people. It's really a big deal.
I agree that the current proposal masks the concentrations. That's important. As we have heard, for example, Toronto has 200,000 francophones and francophiles.
Do you expect any resistance if the way of applying the regulations is adjusted?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
You won't find any resistance from francophones in Ontario if you add regions. But I cannot answer for companies; it's a question for them.
However, I can tell you that, during my touring with the Estates General of French Ontario, people in the trenches have told me that they want an institutional whole. They want a continuum of services. They want services in French from cradle to grave. They want all services in French for all their lives. I like to say that we want to live in French and die in French. We certainly want to be served in French for as long as we live.
In the regions, people are saying yes, that's what we want, that's what we don't have now, and, as francophones, that's what we must have. That will further strengthen the vitality of our communities. Imagine the economic development it will create in our communities if more groups, more institutions, more organizations offer services in French. I see it as a major plus for the Canadian economy too.
Conservative
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Thank you very much.
I am now going to turn to the representatives from the Canadian Bankers Association.
You talked about technology. Phone apps and websites are all well and good, but what are your thoughts for the future? It's fine to talk about where you are, but you have to know where you are going. I am referring to artificial intelligence because it is really going to change communications in five or ten years.
What do you see as the impact of artificial intelligence in your sector?
That question also goes to those representing the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario.
Director, Québec and Atlantic Government Relations, Canadian Bankers Association
In my opening remarks earlier, I described the many ways to deal with banks. We have many services in person. For all major investment decisions—and I am coming to artificial intelligence…
Conservative
Director, Québec and Atlantic Government Relations, Canadian Bankers Association
Okay.
For all major decisions, people go to a branch. Currently, 10% of the transactions are done in a branch. Branch banking is here to stay. It is really important.
However, 77% of transactions are done with the help of artificial intelligence on banking platforms, with computers, smart phones or tablets. Artificial intelligence will be used to prevent fraud—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
I am sorry, Mr. Prud'homme, but I have to interrupt you.
The floor now goes to Ms. Mingarelli for three minutes.
Liberal
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My thanks to all the witnesses for joining us today.
I am going to turn to you first, Mr. Hominuk.
As you know, I am the member of Parliament for Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, a constituency that is proud to be strongly Franco-Ontarian. In fact, 60% of the residents are francophone.
Do you hear any evidence from francophone workers in Ontario who hesitate to use French at work because they fear repercussions?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
I will let my colleague answer.
Director of Policy and Government Relations, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
Absolutely.
Just a moment ago, Mr. Hominuk mentioned the Estates General of French Ontario. This is a wonderful, historic opportunity for the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario to be in direct contact with professionals who can explain what it is to be made to feel invisible at times, even in the workplace. Or who can describe professional development resources that are not accessible in French or tools that are complicated to find. It is a challenge.
Sometimes, it's a real obstacle because it makes people aware of their own linguistic insecurity and gradually leads them to assimilate or to fade more into the background. It then causes situations such as the ones we are experiencing in French Ontario at the moment. I am sure that you see it too.
Liberal
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
In your experience, what actually works in terms of developing language practices in the workplace?
Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
People have to feel that they are in a safe place where they are allowed to speak in French. For me, the institutional culture of a company is the most important factor. People either work in a company where they can speak French or they work in a company where they cannot do so. Even though a company may say on paper that you can speak French at work, if the company's culture shows that you should not, you won't. Basically, that's what will make the regulations successful or not.
Liberal
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
Thank you.
How much time do I have left, Mr. Chair?
Liberal
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
Okay.
Now, I will turn to the two representatives from the Canadian Bankers Association. Either one of you can answer.
Are your members currently able to provide full services in French in the regions with a strong francophone presence?
Senior Legal Counsel, Canadian Bankers Association
We did not have the time to do that analysis with our members in designated regions. However, as my colleague said, services in French are offered in a number of designated regions. Examples are New Brunswick, even Ottawa and certain parts of eastern Ontario.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yvan Baker
Thank you, Ms. Mingarelli.
The floor now goes to Mr. Beaulieu, for a minute and a half.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Let's finish what we were talking about before: Can you tell me if any of the smaller banks are not subject to Bill 101? You say that most, if not all, banks in Quebec are.