Official Languages committee  For this to happen, the report—because this would be presented to the House via a report—would then have to be concurred on by the House. There are two routes to do it. There's that, or a special order of the House that would usually come after consultations between the whips.

Official Languages committee  I just took the liberty of drafting what could be used as a motion, if that's the route the committee wishes to take—that is, to present a report to the House asking that upon adoption of the court challenges report, it be deemed presented to the House, if the House has already adjourned.

Official Languages committee  As I said, if the committee wanted to follow this route, a motion could read: That the Committee recommends that its Report on the Court Challenges Program be deemed presented to the House upon its adoption by the Committee, if the House has already adjourned, and that the adoption of this motion be reported to the House.

Official Languages committee  It is the Court Challenges Program.

Official Languages committee  No, but I might contact you in order to find out exactly what the requests are.

Official Languages committee  Just the amendment? All right. Mr. Bélanger proposes the following wording: and, as the documents must be in both official languages in order to be distributed, that the Clerk inform witnesses of the availability of translation services.

Official Languages committee  It reads as follows: That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee only when they exist in both official languages, and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the clerk's authorization, and, as the documents provided must be in both official languages, that the clerk inform witnesses that translation services are available if necessary.

Official Languages committee  When I speak with the witnesses, I tell them that we have certain rules and that any document distributed to committee members by the clerk or during a meeting must be in both official languages. In the case of an organization with the translation service, the witnesses will come with a translated text.

Official Languages committee  If there is no other motions for the position of first vice-chair, we can move to the election of the second vice-chair. (Motion agreed to.)

Official Languages committee  Honourable members of the committee, I see we have quorum. Welcome to the first meeting of the Standing Committee on Official Languages of this second session. I wish you every success in your work. We will now proceed to elect a chair. I am ready to receive motions for the position of chair.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Lemieux moves that Mr. Blaney be elected Chair of the committee. Are there any other motions? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

Official Languages committee  I declare the motion carried and Mr. Blaney duly elected Chair of the committee. (Motion agreed to.)

Official Languages committee  Before I invite Mr. Blaney to take the Chair, if the committee agrees, we will now proceed with the election of the vice-chairs. Are there any motions to that effect?

Official Languages committee  Mr. Mauril Bélanger moves that Mr. Rodriguez be elected First Vice-Chair. Are there any other motions? Mr. Nadeau.

Official Languages committee  Are there any other motions? (Motion agreed to.) I would like to congratulate our two vice-chairs, Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Godin. I would now invite Mr. Blaney to take his seat as Committee Chair.