Official Languages committee  I agree with the other officials who are here. I am not a part of Canadian Heritage nor the Treasury Board. I do not think that this amendment will create inconsistencies. I think that adopting this will address the problems.

Official Languages committee  I don't know that it's really my place to suggest the path—

Official Languages committee  I spoke about a framework—

Official Languages committee  No language requirement is attached to the appointment.

Official Languages committee  You ask quite a big question. As you well know, there have been bills in the past that sought to amend the Supreme Court Act precisely to add language requirements when appointing justices. Then the Supreme Court became constitutionally entrenched. The Supreme Court recognized th

Official Languages committee  Ms. Boyer or other colleagues at the table might have something to add, but I would like to clarify something. You said that we are amending the old Official Languages Act, from 1988. We have to remember that one of the main objectives of that act was to stipulate the roles of t

Official Languages committee  We have to bear in mind that there are principles involved in the application of such a broad act, which applies to all parliamentary and government institutions. Among those principles is the separation of powers. For instance, Treasury Board cannot be made responsible for ensu

Official Languages committee  Thank you. I don't think there's much more I could add. It is a legislative policy choice to mention and highlight the Charter of the French Language. Yes, one could be exhaustive. It would be a very long provision if that were the case. Already, the opening words, with the us

Official Languages committee  I think that's pretty well the point. You have to see this provision, proposed section 45.1, as an addition to what is already part of part V. It's taking into account the fact that, in implementing this part of the act, with all its broad range of outreach, where there is consul

Official Languages committee  I certainly understand your concern as an official. Again, I can only go so far in terms of policy questions. However, I would say this. This is concerned with the implementation of part VII and also with coordinating the availability of services—federal, provincial, municipal. I

Official Languages committee  But it's not federal services.

Official Languages committee  No lawyer will give you 100% on anything.

Official Languages committee  However, I will give you this. What this is concerned with is taking into account context. That's all this is about. It's not about whether another government may one day make an argument that may or may not fly before the courts. From our perspective—

Official Languages committee  You're welcome.

Official Languages committee  Yes. As I'm sure you're aware, there are statutes and there are statutes. There's the French Language Services Act of Ontario, which one could have mentioned or not mentioned, as the case may be. Each province.... Alberta and Saskatchewan both have language acts enacted after th