Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, December 6, 2004
(7)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 5:10 p.m., this day, in Room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Eymard G. Corbin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Corbin, Léger and Murray, P.C. (5).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon, analyst.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, the committee proceeded to study and report from time to time on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act. (See Issue No. 3, Monday, November 15, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)
WITNESSES:
Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada:
Georges Arès, President;
Marielle Beaulieu, General Manager.
Mr. Arès made a statement and answered questions, with the help of Ms. Beaulieu.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, December 13, 2004
(8)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 5:08 p.m., this day, in room 256-S, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Eymard G. Corbin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buchanan, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Corbin, Jaffer, Léger and Murray, P.C. (7).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon and Andrée Tremblay, analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, the committee proceeded to study and report from time to time on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act. (See Issue no. 3, Monday, November 15, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)
APPEARING:
The Honourable Irwin Cotler, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Justice Canada:
Suzanne Poirier, General Counsel and Director, Francophonie, Justice in Official Languages and Bijuralism;
Marc Tremblay, General Counsel and Director, Official Languages Law Group;
Marc Giroux, Judicial Affairs Advisor, Minister's Office.
The Honourable Irwin Cotler, P.C., made a statement and answered questions with the help of Mrs. Poirier, Mr. Tremblay and Mr. Giroux.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the following reference documents, provided by Mr. Georges Arès, President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, for his presentation to the committee at its December 6, 2004, meeting, be submitted as exhibits to the Clerk of the committee:
1. Reference document no. 1 entitled ``Support for Official Languages Communities Program Funding, 1991-2003'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38 / O1-SS-2, 4 `1');
2. Reference document no. 2 entitled ``Structure of the Support for Official Language Communities Program (2002- 2003 data)'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38 / O1-SS-2, 4 `2');
3. Reference document no. 3 entitled ``Selected examples of achievements by Francophone and Acadian communities in sectors funded by the Canada-Communities Agreements (1994-2004)'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38 / O1- SS-2, 4 `3').
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:38 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:45 p.m., the committee resumed the meeting then proceeded in camera to consider future business.
At 7:11 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee