Official Languages committee  As concerns legal matters, we are not very involved because there is a special program for legal aid at the Department of Justice. It deals with provincial agreements in this regard. As for services or projects that we have supported in francophone communities outside Quebec, our experience with lawyers' associations has been very conclusive.

Official Languages committee  Your question is in two parts. I will begin with the English-speaking community in Quebec. First, you must realize that where justice is concerned, the French-speaking communities outside Quebec and the English-speaking communities in Quebec are organized very differently. As concerns the French-speaking communities outside Quebec, the association of French-speaking lawyers have a key role to play.

Official Languages committee  That is an issue I cannot discuss, as it is currently before the courts. As for the second component of your question, that falls under solicitor-client privilege, and I am unable to talk about it.

Official Languages committee  That entire issue is related to our role as legal adviser to the government. Once again, our advice is subject to rules of solicitor-client privilege. I am truly unable to answer your question.

Official Languages committee  All I can answer is that we will certainly endeavour to provide you with information on this subject or to answer your question in writing. As you know, the area of judicial appointments does not fall within our mandate.

Official Languages committee  It is therefore impossible for me to answer you.

Official Languages committee  I believe that it is important for judges to be able to hear cases in the language of the accused.

Official Languages committee  That can be provided to you by the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs.

Official Languages committee  That issue falls within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs.

Official Languages committee  Not directly, no. However, at the Department of Justice, we work in close cooperation with the Secretariat of Official Languages, and particularly on the interdepartmental committee of official languages stakeholders.

Official Languages committee  Indeed.

Official Languages committee  I could certainly try to do so. It would be my pleasure. As I explained, the fund is the key financial asset that the department has for supporting official language communities. It is dedicated to improving access to justice in both official languages. This means that we work with both government and non-government partners.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. I cannot comment on this matter at this point in time. The RCMP are responsible for their own decisions, not the Department of Justice.

Official Languages committee  Yes, that is the department's role in its capacity as the government's legal advisor.

Official Languages committee  In our department, a number of different branches share responsibility for official languages. My branch is responsible for access to justice in both official languages, as I said earlier. We are responsible for all issues relating to parts IV, V and VI of the act.