Official Languages committee  There is a consistency issue we should not forget. Given the provinces' responsibility for education, immersion programs and French-language education, in order to be consistent, we have to see to it that these agreements are accepted by the provinces.

Official Languages committee  In fact, we are separating the roles, that is to say the role of watchdog and the role of champion. We think that the commissioner must maintain his role as an investigator and champion, and continue to promote official languages. We propose that an administrative tribunal deal w

Official Languages committee  Here again, I think what is needed is that you maintain a sustained dialogue with the provinces. There is a natural conflict around jurisdictional issues between the provinces and the federal government. That said, the provinces often forget that they have jurisdictions and respo

Official Languages committee  That is a very broad question, and it concerns us as well. The federal government should establish a broad partnership with the francophone communities to begin a dialogue with the provinces. Arguments have to be set out to convince the provinces. We have to talk about economic

Official Languages committee  If we strengthen the concept of the two official languages in Canada, this will advance Canadian bilingualism, and that is what we need. We need tools that will force the governments to act responsibly with regard to this fundamental value that underpins the country's identity: b

Official Languages committee  This may be my perception, but we really do have to work on promotion. This morning, we attended a little breakfast with Canadian Parents for French representatives. They talked to us about the importance of promotion. We subscribe to that principle, and we want to engage with th

Official Languages committee  I find it unfortunate that the decision was reversed. Following the judgment in the Gascon affair, Ms. Joly was very clear when she said that the government wants to continue to interpret the law as it was before this decision, given that you had begun to work on its modernizatio

Official Languages committee  Absolutely.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Our wish is that the funds be used to promote official languages.

Official Languages committee  We suggest in our draft bill that language clauses be included in the financial agreements. We want to force governments to be responsible and accountable in their use of the financial resources they receive. To those who say that this is very expensive, our answer is: take care

Official Languages committee  This brings us back to the issue I raised earlier in my statement; that is to say the importance of including language clauses that require accountability regarding funds that are transferred. If we can't have discussions with our provincial and territorial governments, we are tr

Official Languages committee  There are two ways to answer that. Our purpose is to make French-language education accessible to all Canadian citizens.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Good morning.