Public Accounts Committee on June 1st, 2026

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I call this meeting to order.

Good morning, everyone.

I'll go slowly because I know that we have committee members and witnesses who are here, but not in their seats.

Welcome to meeting number 41 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.

I'd like to remind participants of the following points.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. All comments should be addressed through the chair, although witnesses will see that when there are questions, they are directed back and forth to the members through me.

I'd like to remind witnesses that committee members may ask questions in either French or English. If you need interpretation, please take a moment to prepare your earpiece before a member begins so that we don't lose any time during the rounds.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the committee is resuming consideration of the Public Accounts of Canada 2024 and Public Accounts of Canada 2025, referred to the committee on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and Friday, November 7, 2025, respectively.

I'd like to welcome all of our witnesses. From the Department of Canadian Heritage, we have with us Francis Bilodeau, deputy minister; Andrew Brown, associate deputy minister; Joëlle Montminy, senior assistant deputy minister, cultural affairs; and Véronique Côté, chief financial officer.

Thank you for coming with your team, Mr. Bilodeau, and thanks to all of you for coming in.

Mr. Bilodeau, you'll have about five minutes. I tend to be lenient with the time because I want to make sure you have an opportunity to present yourself.

I'll turn the floor over to you.

[Francis Bilodeau, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

First, thank you, Mr. Chair, for having us here today.

I'm pleased to be here today to support your important work.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we're gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation.

As you mentioned, I am joined by colleagues from Heritage, and we're pleased to support the committee in its review of the department's public accounts for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

As you know, the public accounts are an essential component of parliamentary oversight. They provide a transparent and comprehensive account of how public funds were used over the previous fiscal year. They reflect our collective responsibility to ensure sound stewardship, accountability and results for Canadians.

Canadian Heritage plays a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canada. Through its programs and policies, the department fosters an environment in which Canadians can experience dynamic cultural expression, celebrate our history and build strong and inclusive communities.

The department invests in the future and builds a strong sense of Canadian identity and unity by supporting the things that define who we are as Canadians: our official and indigenous languages; arts and culture; sports systems and our athletes; diversity, inclusion and anti-racism; and important heritage commemorations and celebrations.

The public accounts reflect the department's actual spending authorities and expenditures for the fiscal year. As outlined in our 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 departmental results reports, departmental spending is largely delivered through grants and contributions programs. These programs account for the majority of our expenditures and they support individuals, organizations and communities across the country. From a budget of approximately $2.1 billion, $1.9 billion, or about 90%, is spent in the form of grants and contributions.

Year after year, Canadian Heritage maintains its focus on achieving results for Canadians, guided by a strong commitment to transparency, sound financial management and continuous improvement.

Under our core responsibility of creativity, arts and culture, we continued to support creators, cultural workers and industries in adapting to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The funding helped foster the production and discoverability of Canadian content and supported a diverse and innovative cultural sector that contributes to both economic resilience and cultural sovereignty.

In the area of sport, departmental programs supported participation and excellence from grassroots to high-performance levels. Investments also contributed to safer and more inclusive sports environments, aligning our commitments to integrity and well-being in sport.

Through our work on the core responsibility of diversity and inclusion, the department supported communities facing systemic barriers, racism and discrimination. These investments helped advance equity and inclusion while strengthening social cohesion across Canada.

Lastly, under our mandate tied to our core responsibility of heritage and celebrations, Canadian Heritage supported opportunities for Canadians to connect with their history, participate in national events and celebrate shared values and identities.

The departmental results reports highlight that across these areas, programs are designed to achieve measurable outcomes, supported by clear performance indicators. This ensures that funding is spent responsibly and contributes to tangible results for Canadians.

With respect to financial management, Canadian Heritage continues to operate within a strong framework of internal controls, risk management and oversight. The department works closely with central agencies to ensure full compliance with financial policies and reporting requirements.

As reflected in the public accounts, variances between planned and actual spending can occur for a number of reasons—of which I'm sure the committee is aware—including the timing of program uptake, the sunsetting or renewal of temporary funding and evolving priorities. These variances are analyzed and reported transparently through our public reporting instruments, including the departmental results report.

It's important to note that the department remains committed to continuously improving its practices in both financial reporting and program delivery. We regularly review our methods in order to strengthen efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

In closing, Canadian Heritage remains committed to the prudent management of public funds and to delivering results that matter to Canadians. We will continue to ensure that our investments support a strong, inclusive and dynamic Canada, one that reflects the diversity of its people and promotes a shared sense of belonging.

Again, we thank you, Mr. Chair and members of this committee, for the opportunity to be here today. We will make every effort to answer your questions to the best of our capacity.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Deltell, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good morning, colleagues. I would like to wish you a good start to the week.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to your parliamentary committee.

Mr. Bilodeau, is it true that the federal government launched an investigation into the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages?

[Francis Bilodeau]

My colleague, Mr. Brown, is currently working on the case. There were certainly articles in the newspapers today reporting on our review. Mr. Brown will be able to discuss this further.

[Andrew Brown, Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

Thank you for the question.

Of course, as we saw in the media over the weekend, we did indeed launch a special review of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages' accounts. We launched this review in response to anonymous allegations that we received in the department. That's why we launched this review. We want to get more information.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

We're talking about a four‑day meeting in Ottawa on indigenous languages, which cost $10 million.

Where do things stand with this?

[Andrew Brown]

Thank you again for the question.

This concerns a conference held here in Ottawa last year. It was the WAVES 2025 conference held by the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. This conference, along with all office expenses, will be subject to this review.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Do you think that $10 million for a four‑day conference is money well spent?

[Andrew Brown]

As reported in the media, it's a great deal of money.

That said, the office—

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Did you authorize this money?

[Andrew Brown]

So, it's a—

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Did you authorize it, yes or no?

[Andrew Brown]

It is an independent organization that acts at arm's length from the Government of Canada.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

So you don't know.

Is that right?

[Francis Bilodeau]

The organization was created in partnership with indigenous peoples to ensure a certain level of independence, among other things.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Did you know that it would cost $10 million for four days, yes or no?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I didn't receive a specific report before the conference. I don't know whether Mr. Brown received one.

[Andrew Brown]

We knew that the office was moving ahead with organizing a major conference. It applied for and received funding last year to support its activities for the full year.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

That's fine. However, I want to know whether you authorized $10 million for a four‑day conference on indigenous languages.

[Andrew Brown]

With regard to this particular issue, I would say that, no, we haven't—

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

What do you do for a living apart from ensuring the proper management of taxpayers' money?

We're talking about $10 million here.

How many indigenous people could have learned their native language with $10 million? How many?

[Francis Bilodeau]

According to the process used to set up the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, the person responsible for management—in this case, the commissioner—is appointed by order in council.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

How many indigenous people could have taken courses with $10 million?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I don't have these figures on hand.