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Official Languages committee We are not able to provide that answer because we never asked the lawyers what their affiliation was. I'm convinced that if it was in our power to do so, we probably would have discovered people of all political stripes and, without a doubt, many without one.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee I will respond to the first part of your comment about your concern regarding our participation on the committee. We respond to all requests that we receive. Whether the invitation comes from a Richelieu Club, the Association des juristes du Manitoba or the press, when we are asked for facts about the Court Challenges Program, we have no hesitation, since it is part of our mandate to clarify the rationale for the Court Challenges Program and its purpose.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee Thank you, honourable member. First, to quickly respond to a previous question, let me reassure you that we have read the report tabled by the Standing Committee on Official Languages. This is an extremely important document. It is long and has a lot for communities to think about.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee I simply want to remind the committee that when a minority or a disadvantaged group goes before the courts on the issue of language rights, it is going against the government, be it federal or provincial. So it is already working against the majority, since a Parliament or a government represent the majority.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee You're right.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to add to what you said, Mr. Murphy. There are two parts because the first version of the Court Challenges Program pertained exclusively to language rights. When the program was re-established, after 1982, that is, after the implementation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the second part was added.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. I would like to add something. We urge the committee to recommend the full reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program and its budget as prior to September 26, 2006. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Official Languages committee Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you indicated, with me are Mr. Noël Badiou, Executive Director of the Court Challenges Program of Canada, and Ms. Kathleen Tansey, member of the board of directors. I know that it would probably be more useful to answer your questions, if you have any, but I would first like to say a few words.
June 5th, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee Thank you, Mr. Chair. We appreciate that this committee has taken the time to hear us. All members of this committee seem to agree on the need for the program. This is comforting to us. I hope a similar program will be reinstated, despite the fact that the government has abolished one of the best programs to have ever been established, the Court Challenges Program.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee No, the evaluation said that we did the right thing.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee It says we did the right thing. It's like blaming the victim for what's happening, and I think it's unfair, sir. If you really believe in that particular program, such as you are saying, make sure it happens. And fund both sides. We do not mind. I mean, do it. But make sure that we, as Canadians, and those who are seeking equality rights and those who are seeking clarification of linguistic rights have real access to justice.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee The answer is no, for the record.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee Some Canadians.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee I agree totally with you when you talk about the unfairness of groups not having access to justice. I think that's why we're here. I totally agree with your last comment on this. I think you should make sure, as a representative of the government, that you carry the message to the Prime Minister and to the heritage minister and the justice minister that you believe people who seek justice should have access to justice.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte
Canadian Heritage committee There was no problem for us. This is what we were mandated to do.
February 1st, 2007Committee meeting
Guy Matte