Official Languages committee  I thank you very much for your invitation and for your attention. Of course, we remain available to help you in any way possible.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the member for the support he has given our office and our work.

Official Languages committee  The survey is in a form that cannot necessarily be shared, but we can certainly share the results with you, Mr. Chairman. Of course.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, I have two or three comments to make in response to that. On the whole, I believe that a member of the Canadian armed forces does not waive the rights to which he or she is entitled under the Canadian Charter of Rights, the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act, or any other federal statutes that would apply.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, it is as if the member had a window into our internal operations. Even as we speak, the advisory committee is chaired by Michael Caines, retired lieutenant-general and former chief of defence staff. At the last meeting with the advisory committee, some seven or eight weeks ago, I presented the Borden issue, and put forward the observations and recommendations made.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, it is quite true that our office comprises some 50 or 52 valiant and courageous officials who do exemplary work. As I said earlier in answer to a question by another member, there is no doubt that I have a keen interest in Gagetown at present, and it's quite possible that at some point we might decide to go and see how things are there.

Official Languages committee  First of all, an official languages champion has indeed been appointed. If I remember correctly, the champion is Major Bouchard. The action plan to which the member refers was appended, I believe, to the letter dated May 24. When we visited the base in June, most of the measures had not yet been implemented.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, could the member please tell me the date of that letter?

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, here is what happened. In July, I met with Mr. O'Connor, the then Minister of Defence, as well as with the Chief of Defence Staff, the same gentleman who is in the position today. The minister set out his expectations very clearly, and put into effect the very concrete recommendations I made.

Official Languages committee  Some people, for example, have told us that they had to get used to speaking English because French was the language of the minority, and they could go back as soon as they were prepared to speak English. That comes back to what I was saying earlier: 85% of recruits who responded to our questionnaire said they did not know where to turn for help, and 81% of them believed that there was no help available.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, it is very difficult to answer that question in general terms. However, I think that a significant percentage of French-speaking recruits who arrive at Borden find that the language situation is not necessarily what they expected. In fact, it probably comes as a surprise to many of them.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, when I was studying law, I was taught about leading questions. I would like to come back to what I have told you several times this morning already. The situation at Borden is deplorable, regrettable, and in many cases unacceptable.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, from a technical standpoint, I cannot answer the member's question. If I understand correctly, you will be hearing the Official Languages Commissioner in a week. He will certainly be able to tell you his views on that point. Once again, I will reiterate that the situation we saw in Borden should not be what it is.

Official Languages committee  There is no doubt that Gagetown holds a particular interest for us, because that is where our recruits train, and not at CBF Borden. I certainly do not exclude the possibility of visiting Gagetown to see how recruits are dealing with language issues.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, all I did was recognize that there were some practical realities. I also repeated several times that the situation at CFB Borden was deplorable, regrettable and unacceptable. I have not changed my mind on the assessment we made.