Official Languages committee  I'm not aware of any particular date. I would suspect that one can always sign an agreement.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Beaulieu, thank you for your comment and for this very relevant question. Reference was made in the Speech from the Throne to the state of French nationally. It was said that there were eight million francophones in a sea of 350 million anglophones. We can agree on the fact that French is nevertheless immersed in that sea.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. What we have done so far with respect to that is that I've had several conversations with my colleagues, namely from New Brunswick and Ontario, where they have commissioners—

Official Languages committee  To get back to the question, as you mentioned, health is a provincial jurisdiction. However, in the report that we issued on security and official languages in emergency situations, we did consult Canadians, and they did indicate to us that it was extremely important that they receive communications in both official languages irrespective of the level of government.

Official Languages committee  I think it's always important, when funds are transferred from one level of government to another, to ensure that, with respect to transparency and accountability, we have a clear idea of where the funds are going. We have no indication as to why the Province of Quebec did not sign this agreement.

Official Languages committee  I was very pleased with the Supreme Court's decision regarding French-language education in British Columbia. This case went on for several years and ultimately ended up before the Supreme Court of Canada. Of course, the outcome is good for the community. However, why did it take so many years to reach this decision?

Official Languages committee  The Speech from the Throne refers to the significance of the status of French in Canada. We must take a serious look at this issue.

Official Languages committee  Okay.

Official Languages committee  The Prime Minister didn't respond to the recommendation. However, we had discussions with other parliamentarians. As you know, the Speech from the Throne refers to strengthening official languages in Canada and the significance of official languages as languages of national conversation.

Official Languages committee  Good morning. Although we’re meeting today on a virtual platform, I would like to acknowledge that I’m addressing you from Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis nation. I’m pleased to be connecting with you today in your various territories and communities.

Official Languages committee  At the symposium held at the beginning of the week, we discussed the bilingualism of Supreme Court justices. There was a whole debate about whether it is constitutional or not. You can always seek out a legal opinion, but you then fall into that world. At a certain point, Parliament will have to decide.

Official Languages committee  It is always possible. We can always—

Official Languages committee  At the risk or repeating myself, I would just like to say that we appreciate the support from your committee a great deal, and the work that you do.

Official Languages committee  I think what we have to do is look at it as a fundamental Canadian value. Part of the Canadian identity is very much about pluralism. It's very much about diversity. It should not just be about diversity of cultures, but about diversity of languages, which is part of our identity.

Official Languages committee  We have been talking about language equality for a long time. One major decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, R. v. Beaulac, talks about substantive equality. I feel that we must codify certain concepts in the act, including substantive language equality. Substantive equality means that the remedial nature of language rights are recognized.