Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, March 21, 2005
(12)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee of Official Languages met this day at 2:34 p.m. in room 256-S of the Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Eymard G. Corbin, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buchanan, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Corbin, Léger and Murray, P.C. (6).

Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Andrée Tremblay and Wade Raaflaub, Analysts.

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 undertook to study, and to 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. (For the full text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 3, Monday, November 15, 2004.)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Liza Frulla, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The Honourable Ken Dryden, P.C., M.P., Minister of Social Development.

The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P., Minister responsible for Official Languages.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Heritage:

Eileen Sarkar, Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage;

Hubert Lussier, Director General, Official Languages Support Programs.

Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne:

Yvon Fontaine, President.

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Dyane Adam, Commissioner of Official Languages;

JoAnn Myer, Director General, Policy and Communications Branch;

Johane Tremblay, Director, Legal Affairs Branch;

Gérard Finn, Advisor.

Social Development Canada:

Peter Hicks, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Direction;

Christian Dea, Acting Director General, Knowledge and Research;

Robert Coulter, Director, Horizontal Initiatives and International Relations, Horizontal Initiatives;

John Connolly, Acting Director, Operations, Community Development and Partnerships Directorate, Partnerships Division.

Privy Council Office:

Keith H. Christie, Deputy Secretary;

Anne Scotton, Director General, Official Languages.

The Honourable Liza Frulla made a presentation and, along with Mr. Lussier and Ms. Sarkar, answered questions.

At 3:36 p.m., the committee recessed.

At 3:39 p.m., the committee reconvened.

Mr. Yvon Fontaine made a presentation and answered questions.

At 4:36 p.m., the committee recessed.

At 4:41 p.m., the committee reconvened.

Ms. Dyane Adam made a presentation and answered questions.

At 5:35 p.m., the committee recessed.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee reconvened.

The Honourable Ken Dryden made a presentation and, along with Mr. Hicks, answered questions.

At 6:53 p.m., the committee recessed.

At 6:56 p.m., the committee reconvened.

The Honourable Mauril Bélanger made a presentation and answered questions.

At 7:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

Acting Clerk of the Committee