Official Languages committee  I think that's a question for the committee, not the Commissioner.

Official Languages committee  Of course. With regard to the committee's role, we're here to discuss the French language, but also both official languages. We're here to discuss both official language minority communities. You hear from many witnesses who have a range of opinions and expertise on the matter.

Official Languages committee  When we discuss the governance of the act, by which I mean its application or implementation, the important thing is to clarify who is concerned with which part of the act. Generally speaking, the President of the Treasury Board handles the governance of the act. In part VII, we're talking about a collaboration with the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Official Languages committee  Treasury Board has expertise in developing directives. It's therefore important to draft those directives in concrete terms so the duties of each department are clear.

Official Languages committee  I don't really feel it's the Commissioner's role to express an opinion on the conduct of a committee member, although it's important to work in a respectful manner. Both witnesses were researchers who were presenting their evidence, their tables. It's up to committee members to interpret them.

Official Languages committee  I have to appear before the Senate at six o'clock.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Honourable members of the committee, hello. Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that the lands on which we are gathered are part of the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people, an indigenous people of the Ottawa Valley. I’m pleased to be with you today to present my 2023–2024 annual report.

Official Languages committee  That said, let me be clear: My team and I are fully prepared to ensure greater respect for the public's language rights. As you probably noticed in my annual report, the 847 admissible complaints filed with my office in 2023-24 are a bit of a contrast to the very high volumes of complaints we've become accustomed to in recent years.

Official Languages committee  A few years ago, we published a report on official languages in emergency situations. We found that, in all cases, preparation was inadequate. In other words, the necessary mechanisms, structures and processes had not been put in place to respond quickly in both official languages at the same time.

Official Languages committee  All ADMs who are already in the pool of candidates within the federal government have achieved adequate bilingual proficiency. They already meet that criterion. However, people are often appointed from outside the federal government, from the private sector.

Official Languages committee  I'm an optimist by nature; otherwise, I wouldn't be here. We have to give it a chance. The bill was passed less than a year ago. Things are happening right now. Implementing this new act is quite complex for the Office of the Commissioner and for other federal institutions. There is an enormous amount of work to be done within the federal government in terms of promotion and compliance.

Official Languages committee  Indeed, incrementalism is a very slow way to effect change.

Official Languages committee  The new act is more about the future than the present situation. Anyone currently in a position is protected, and I don't really see how their employment conditions could be changed. Instead, we have to make sure this doesn't happen in the future, because senior leaders play a significant role.

Official Languages committee  If the duties related to a position require bilingualism, the person occupying the position must be bilingual. If they do not meet that criterion, they have to go on training, and the person acting for them must be bilingual.

Official Languages committee  I don't see why she shouldn't.