Debates of Oct. 24th, 2001

Competition Act

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague the parliamentary secretary for his kind remarks on the matters of concern to me.

Unfortunately, I must say that I do not agree with his remarks and I will tell him why. The government has a number of responsibilities including passing legislation. These airports used to belong to the federal government. The government changed its mind and decided to privatize them. Now it is pulling a fast one on us. How? By failing to comply with the Official Languages Act.

When the government opened the door to the privatization of Air Canada, it included a clause to the effect that Air Canada would be subject to the Official Languages Act. This was needed.

The contract signed with the private sector provides that this company must comply with the Official Languages Act for ten years. Why not make it forever? This is what we need in Canada.

I would point out that it applies not just to francophones but to anglophones who visit the Gaspé or Kapuskasing or Hearst. It exists to ensure respect for both official languages,English and French, in Canada.

I want the minister to work to change the law and guarantee that the Official Languages Act will be accepted and applied throughout Canada.

[André Harvey, Liberal, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that we are going to be following very carefully everything to do with respect of official languages, both in the national airport system and in airports not automatically covered by the Official Languages Act.

We will do this in co-operation with the federal Minister of Transport as well as with the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, whose responsibility it is to keep very close tabs on the respect of official languages.

I am certain that we will see progress in respect of the official languages and, ultimately, we will see whether that progress has been significant. If not, I am sure that the government will assume its responsibilities and take whatever action is required to ensure full respect of official languages.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6.21 p.m.)