Official Languages committee  I would like to commend Senator Chaput, who introduced a very ambitious bill. I hope it will be adopted one day, but it already represents a step forward. We must not only consider the number of people in a community, but its vitality. We all have a role to play in ensuring the

Official Languages committee  Yes, quite often. We were privileged in that one of the members of our group, the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, was Mr. Selinger, the former Premier of Manitoba, who was then Minister of Francophone Affairs. He was the dean of Ministers of Francophone Affai

Official Languages committee  I don't know because I don't know who else applied.

Official Languages committee  I went through two interviews.

Official Languages committee  On the first panel, there were 10 people. I think most of them were civil servants. There was a representative from the Department of Canadian Heritage and one representative from the office of the premier ministre.

Official Languages committee  Le Conseil privé. They advised me on the process, that I would need to come before this committee and then the Senate before my appointment would be confirmed.

Official Languages committee  Yes, indeed. I know the francophone communities outside of Quebec, but I cannot say that I know every one. I met them when I was the minister and we had these FPT meetings across the provinces, changing provinces every time. I am so impressed to see that though they are a small p

Official Languages committee  Of course.

Official Languages committee  When I resigned, yes, I wanted to spend more time with my family, especially since my husband was going through a difficult and challenging health situation. He has recovered fully now, so I'm very pleased. It's going to be full time, and you will see. I always had three jobs. I

Official Languages committee  Do you mean outside of the work of commissioner?

Official Languages committee  I'm not the commissioner yet, so I'm trying to read as much as possible and equip myself as much as I can before I do, if I have the privilege of holding it. I'll do it by consulting the recommendations, by reading reviews. The commissioner has some flexibility. I can assure you

Official Languages committee  It was the chair of the.... Madame Labelle was responsible for selections and appointments to the Senate.

Official Languages committee  Mind you, I had invited her before I resigned as a member of the provincial parliament. I had invited her to come to a presentation on la Journée internationale de la femme, and she was there, and we asked that question. However, I went forward and applied anyway.

Official Languages committee  Yes, it was because I was resigning as an MPP, but not from public life, so I wanted to continue to work in public life.

Official Languages committee  Who informed me?