Official Languages committee  In my view, what you have pointed out underscores two things. For obvious and historical reasons, education is a provincial matter, and when the federal government becomes involved in an area of provincial jurisdiction, it's always more complicated and requires more work. I have already raised the issue of transparency and accountability.

Official Languages committee  I can't make that comparison for now. I met with Mr. Lord last week, and our conversation was very constructive. It will come as no surprise to you that I basically told him the same thing I told you this morning, which is that there were strengths and weaknesses. In many cases, his conclusions were the same.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Yes, I think that I have it. I must say that I didn't really have time to get familiar with all the numbers.

Official Languages committee  I would not want to go into details about a case that I learned of by reading the same article as you. However, I would like to make a general comment about something of concern to me. I think there is a problem we must deal with. I'm sure there are some people in the public service who can communicate in the second official language, but who do not pass their test.

Official Languages committee  Certainly, this would be of enormous help to further the respect of both official languages, but, we must, at the same time, realize that not all Canadians have access to good training. If bilingualism were required for all positions in the public service, a great many public servants in Quebec would not be hired, just as there would be many public servants in the west who could never get into the public service.

Official Languages committee  I think that this is a very interesting possibility. Let me point out two initiatives, one at the post-secondary level and the other at the secondary level. At the post-secondary level, as you mentioned the University of Ottawa directly encourages students who have followed immersion courses in high school to follow French courses at the university.

Official Languages committee  Yes, we have already begun to discuss the matter and we have begun a joint study with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. First, we must draw up a directory of programs, courses and opportunities offered by universities to enable students who maintain the knowledge of French they have acquired upon leaving high school.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I should start by apologizing, as I have a cold. If I have to stop from time to time or if I'm not as quick as I would ordinarily be, I apologize. Thank you for this opportunity to share my assessment of the action plan for official languages, which ends in March 2008.

Official Languages committee  As I stated at the end of my presentation, the government must absolutely move to action and develop and implement the next phase of the Action Plan for Official Languages, and this committee must oversee its development. What is important is that its approach be broad-based and strategic.

Official Languages committee  I agree with the member: my mandate is very clear.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, I deeply appreciate the member's interest in this issue. As I said earlier, I think it's much easier to learn a third language than it is to learn a second language. The degree to which language duality intersects with cultural diversity is a subject that we've already undertaken.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, I am well aware of my mandate, my obligations, my responsibilities and my aspirations. I had understood the member to be talking about a symptom, and not a syndrome. One symptom that I have observed is that after nearly 40 years, the government is still unable to fulfil its obligations.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, I am more interested in results than in the means to achieve them. I have heard arguments both for and against this decision. It is now up to the department to ensure that people who are in positions where bilingualism is a requirement are indeed bilingual. Some say that the centre will lose all control if the school is not given that responsibility, while others believe that it is a way to make the department and the employees themselves more accountable.

Official Languages committee  I have taken note of the honourable member's remarks, and will keep them in mind when the time comes to examine the impact of this decision.