Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, April 26, 2004
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day in camera at 5:00 p.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Gauthier, Keon, Léger, Munson, and Rivest (7).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 19, 2004, the committee continued its study on the operation of the Official Languages Act, and of regulations and directives made thereunder, within those institutions subject to the Act, as well as upon the reports of the Commissioner of Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Canadian Heritage. (See Issue No. 2, March 1, 2004 and March 29, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Official Languages;

The Honourable Denis Coderre, P.C., M.P., President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Minister responsible for la Francophonie, and Minister responsible for the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution;

The Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda.

At 5:25 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 5:30 p.m. the committee resumed in public.

Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Coderre and Ms. Scherrer each made an opening statement and then together answered questions.

At 6:30 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 6:35 p.m. the committee resumed.

The Chair informed the committee that the Honourable Senator Keon was stepping down as Deputy Chair.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger that the Honourable Senator Rivest be Deputy Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 6:37 p.m. the committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft budget.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gauthier that this committee concur in the following budget application for the 2004-05 fiscal year for the purpose of its consideration of the operation of the Official Languages Act, and

That the Chair submit the said budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval:

Professional and Other Services	$ 67,000
Transportation and Communications	$ 235,655
Other Expenditures	$ 15,500
TOTAL	$ 318,155

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 6:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee