Official Languages committee  With respect to immigration, there are two things, actually. The more elements we have in the law and the clearer the requirements are in the law, the more likely it is that the goals will be achieved, particularly in terms of Parliament's role. Francophone immigration is certainly part of the solution.

Official Languages committee  First of all, it's a question of transparency and near-participatory democracy, because although there are some consultations, regulatory power is much more limited. The parliamentary process is much more open in terms of consultations. We're seeing that today: we have experts, young people defending the rights of anglophone Quebecers, bilingualism and so on.

Official Languages committee  Yes, that is correct. In addition, we must never forget that if French is doing well in Quebec, that will have an effect outside the province. Plays and films created in Quebec become cultural products to which francophones in the other provinces also have access. As well, for francophone artists in the other provinces who want to sell their music, for example, the Quebec market will be important, as long as it has a sufficient number of francophones.

Official Languages committee  Bill C‑13 contains some promising things in terms of territoriality, such as the Use of French and Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act, insofar as it would apply in francophone regions outside Quebec and would not replace the Charter of the French Language, or Bill 101, in Quebec.

Official Languages committee  Right now, the federal government funds many anglophone advocacy groups in Quebec and francophone advocacy groups in the other provinces. These should continue to be funded, but so should many more francophone advocacy groups in Quebec. That's what needs to change. It's one of the areas where Bill C‑13 could have a meaningful impact if amendments were made.

Official Languages committee  Yes, you are entirely correct. I think you are talking about the case brought by Ballantyne and Davidson. In its decision, the United Nations Human Rights Committee clearly said that the relevant entity in international law is the sovereign country, that is, Canada. Anglophones everywhere in Canada, including in Quebec, form a majority and are therefore not considered to be a minority that enjoys special rights as such.

Official Languages committee  That is a big challenge. A language policy consists of more than a bill, but a lot of things could be done.

Official Languages committee  First, the whole question of the policy on francophone immigration is very important, both in Quebec and in the other provinces. Ideally, the Government of Quebec should have more power when it comes to immigration in order to have a coherent policy on immigration and integration.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Godin. When you welcome involvement by young people, I count myself in, too. It is the new section 41(6)(c), as proposed by the bill, that deals with this aspect. This is the problem with the bill, which puts the anglophone minority in Quebec on equal footing with the francophone minorities in the other provinces.

Official Languages committee  In fact, I think we should, above all, increase research funding in French in Quebec. I want to come back to the territorial approach. Certainly, we can fund research in French in the other provinces, and in fact Acfas is doing extraordinary work to promote research in French. However, studies show that what works is to help the language in the place where it is in the majority, where there is a big enough pool of students to organize conferences and invite colleagues from various institutions.

Official Languages committee  Good afternoon, and thank you for this invitation to come and speak to you about Bill C‑13. I would particularly like to thank and say hello to Mr. Beaulieu, whom I have been fortunate to meet. I would also like to say hello to my member of Parliament, the MP for Sherbrooke, Élisabeth Brière.