Official Languages committee  Complaints are us. We are always happy to get complaints.

Official Languages committee  It is a little ironic, but we have never received any complaints about labelling. We get a lot of complaints against Public Services and Procurement Canada about translations and calls for tender, but never from the public on labelling.

Official Languages committee  When we talk about education in minority situations, or about French as a second language, Part VII of the act offers endless possibilities, but not in the way it is currently written. The answer to your opening remark is that we first have to modernize the act. Second, Part VII is the part that affects the communities, the development and vitality of the communities.

Official Languages committee  As I mentioned earlier, when designing programs, strategies or activities in government, I think it is important to use the “official languages lens” and to try to understand how these programs can affect the vitality and development of the official language minority communities.

Official Languages committee  I think that if we had a better system of governance, the signal to institutions would be a lot clearer, and it would be more effective in terms of oversight. We would know who's responsible for what. For example, there is a particular set of complaints with regard to section 91, which can be resolved by clear direction from Treasury Board, if we were to do that.

Official Languages committee  When we talk about part VII of the act, we're talking about developing a series of regulations. One of the items of the regulation could be the action plan, and within the action plan, we can define, for example, what is important for minority language education. For example, it's imperative that we be able to identify and count the number of eligible students in each province.

Official Languages committee  With respect to the fourth recommendation that deals, again, with the action plan, the action plan is extremely important for minority language communities. It is a very positive initiative on the part of the government to provide this funding. When it comes to the action plan, we have to ensure that the investments that are being made reach those who are supposed to be receiving those funds.

Official Languages committee  Over the past 10 years, or even a little more, the government's offer of official languages services has levelled off. Obviously, there are difficulties and challenges on the language of work side, but, with regard to official languages, a culture of complacency has developed throughout the federal administration, in my opinion.

Official Languages committee  Clearly, over the years in many jurisdictions, there have been issues around the use of funds with respect to official languages. For example, in one jurisdiction we would use the funds to pay teachers, but teachers are required whether or not you have official languages. You have to make sure that it's to pay for the extra costs involved in providing education for either FSL, French as a second language, or French as a first language.

Official Languages committee  Thank you. Currently, within the federal government, official languages governance is divided between the Treasury Board, which is responsible for Parts IV, V and VI, and the Department of Canadian Heritage, which is responsible for Part VII. Part VII concerns mainly the communities, while Parts IV and V concern communications, service delivery and language of work.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to thank the committee for their commitment toward the advancement of Canada's two official languages. The work of this committee is of great importance and is complementary to the activities in my office, which is why I am always pleased to be invited to appear before you.

Official Languages committee  There was no official request, but there was media coverage.

Official Languages committee  We asked for reactions from governments. Let's say that the reply is a little lukewarm in terms of holding such a forum. As you said, it would have been useful to have it in January and February, when those events were going on. The 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act does not come to an end with the elections.

Official Languages committee  I would just like a broader representation of people in the room so that Canadian society is better represented. It is a good idea. I welcome the consultations, but they have to be broadened. By the way, I mentioned the forum to Ms. Joly and Ms. Lockhart. I just wanted to mention that.

Official Languages committee  Both levels should intervene. With the federal government investing money for the needs of first- or second-language teaching in French, it is very important for the accountability to be truly transparent and that there be language clauses to ensure that the money allocated to education really go to that purpose, that of meeting the needs of the students in the community.