Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner of Official Languages made a surprising statement last week when he maintained that Quebec violated the Official Languages Act by failing to offer courses in English to immigrants through its Centres d'orientation et de formation des immigrants.
Yesterday, when he appeared before the joint committee on official languages, the commissioner admitted his mistake. He had no jurisdiction in this case and agreed that Quebec's immigration policies did not in any way violate the Official Languages Act.
The commissioner should concentrate on telling federally regulated corporations to get their act together, including regional carriers affiliated with Air Canada and the Canada Post Corporation.
The commissioner should also put more pressure on provincial governments that continue to deprive their francophone residents of the educational facilities to which they are entitled.