Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages.
This report has to do with the broadcasting and the availability of the debates and proceedings of parliament in both official languages.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank members from both chambers on the committee. They did their work quickly but well. I also wish to thank our staff, including the clerks, and particularly the one who is leaving us.
I would like to mention that the committee's report takes note of the CRTC's upcoming examination of the need to broadcast parliamentary proceedings in both official languages and encourages this initiative.
We also thank the Speaker of the House for appearing before us. We encourage him to try to dovetail the contracts which must be renegotiated and perhaps renewed with the expiry of the public affairs cable channel licence, which the CRTC must or could renew.
This is an undertaking of the committee and a call from the committee. We would like a response from the government to ensure that all Canadians, wherever they live, have access to the broadcasts of the debates of parliament in both official languages.