Official Languages committee  In terms of compliance, it is important to recognize that the commissioner's powers are limited to conducting investigations and making recommendations. Other compliance mechanisms must be added, either binding agreements or monetary penalties. Establishing a tribunal is another idea.

Official Languages committee  As I have said on a number of occasions, we strongly support the official recognition of Canada’s first languages. We do not want to impose, but, if we are asked, we are certainly ready to help the new commissioner to become established, to explain how we work, and to help him or her understand the obligations.

Official Languages committee  First of all, it is necessary to find out the status of indigenous languages as they exist today. Then, given that, for a number of those languages, urgent action is required, the ones that are in a critical situation must be quickly identified. It is important to raise awareness of, and promote, those languages, by immediately coming to grips with the systemic causes of their decline.

Official Languages committee  Today,.people talk about three languages in particular: Cree, Inuktitut and Ojibway. Those languages have some vitality, but I do not know whether we have all the data we need in order to consider all indigenous languages. The work that Statistics Canada does is important for indigenous languages, just as it is for the official languages.

Official Languages committee  I have some comments. First, when we look at Part V of the act, dealing with the language of work, we see that it mentions geographical regions where you can work in French or in the official language of your choice. Those regions were designated in 1977. Since 1977, the world has completely changed.

Official Languages committee  There are very good examples of initiatives in the public service where people are in fact encouraged to use their second language. In our office, we have developed tools so that we can hold bilingual meetings. We provide training about it. Some departments, like Natural Resources, have prepared their own second-language courses based on the specialized lexicon they use.

Official Languages committee  Here is an example. In the regulations, there could be a preamble setting out certain stipulations and containing very clear definitions and directives. There could also be a list of federal institutions that have a particular impact on the vitality of the communities. We know full well that Statistics Canada has always had an impact on the communities.

Official Languages committee  The exception in subsection 16(1) could be removed, but that would not really change the appointment process for Supreme Court justices.

Official Languages committee  Yes, in part. But the appointment process was established differently in the Supreme Court decision on Justice Nadon. In my opinion, a legislative change is needed.

Official Languages committee  Parliament has to develop the necessary legislation. If we look at it historically, some bills were supported by the opposition but not by the government. But there are some examples.

Official Languages committee  Two things. First, the regulations must include a formal mechanism for community consultation. Communities have to be consulted in that situation. Second, this kind of interaction can certainly be specified in the regulations. However, when I look at some of the specific cases you mention, the community was not even consulted.

Official Languages committee  Once again, I go back to the regulations. In the regulations, we have to determine all the factors that can help to support the vitality of the communities. Whether it is education, access to land or to schools, that has to be part of it. However, we must not forget the consultation mechanism, which must have some teeth.

Official Languages committee  Here is the situation, as I see it. First, changing the Constitution is practically impossible. Changing an act is very difficult, but changes can certainly be made to regulations. I think our play is with the regulations. The federal government has the power to spend money and it can certainly impose conditions on the way its money is used.

Official Languages committee  It has to.

Official Languages committee  At the moment, it is a little vague, especially with regard to Part VII. If Part VII has a solid framework of regulations, it implies that the regulations will be complied with. At the moment, we have no data. Quite the contrary. There are very few language clauses as such, and they are not in the regulations.