Official Languages committee  Mr. Chair, distinguished members of the Standing Commons Committee on Official Languages, thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet with you and to introduce myself. I first want to express how appreciative I am for being selected as a candidate for the position of Commis

Official Languages committee  Those financial contributions were made when I was a member of the legislature and a minister. In my new position, if I become commissioner, it goes without saying that I will be non-partisan. I would prefer people to evaluate me on what I will do. I cannot erase my 13 years of

Official Languages committee  I believe that former minister Victor Goldbloom was once appointed to the position.

Official Languages committee  It will be one year at the end of June.

Official Languages committee  I left politics after 25 years. I was very clear, I was leaving political life, but not public life. I wanted to continue to serve Canadians and give them the benefit of my experience, my energy, and my commitment to official languages. Yes, I was interested in the Senate, but I

Official Languages committee  When I found out that the position was open, I asked to meet the commissioner—he was meeting those who were interested—so that he could answer my questions on the position and on his legacy. I wanted to discuss that with him. Then I thought about it. In November, when the positio

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. I am really very proud of everything we have accomplished in Ontario in the area of francophone affairs. But I want this to be very clear; I did not do this alone. I did it with Franco-Ontarians, with members of the opposition, and with my community. I was a

Official Languages committee  The chair of the committee warned me about it. The people involved in recruiting senators subsequently confirmed it.

Official Languages committee  Yes, I met with him at his request. He wanted to talk about bilingualism in the city of Ottawa.

Official Languages committee  It should.

Official Languages committee  I understand that.

Official Languages committee  Yes, I understand the difference.

Official Languages committee  No, I am not familiar with the text.

Official Languages committee  I understand your concerns. The position was open, and I applied. I went through a very rigorous process. I strongly believe that I have the competencies for this position. I know that I will be impartial in carrying out my duties, if I have the privilege of being appointed. If