Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, April 16, 2007
(26)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4 p.m. in room 9 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Keon, Losier-Cool, Murray, P.C. and Tardif (6).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon and Élyse Hurtubise-Loranger.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued to examine, for the purpose of reporting 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 complete text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 2, Monday, May 15, 2006.)
In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee sat in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff members as well as the communications officer assigned to the committee be permitted to attend in camera meetings.
It was agreed that the committee adopt a proposed work plan for the meetings scheduled until the adjournment of the Senate.
At 4:55 p.m., the committee recessed.
At 5:01 p.m., the committee reconvened in an open session.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 2, 2006, the committee continued to examine, for the purpose of reporting from time to time on, the government's response dated November 2006, to the sixth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages entitled: French-language Education in a Minority Setting: A Continuum from Early Childhood to the Post-secondary Level, tabled in the Senate on June 14, 2005. (For the complete text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 13, Monday, March 19, 2007.)
APPEARING:
The Honourable Josée Verner, P.C., M.P., Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Heritage:
Hubert Lussier, Director General, Official Languages Support Program;
Jérôme Moisan, Senior Director, Official Languages Secretariat;
Diane Fulford, Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage.
The Chair made an opening statement.
The Honourable Josée Verner made a statement and, along with Mr. Hubert Lussier, Mr. Jérôme Moisan and Ms. Diane Fulford, answered questions.
At 5:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, April 23, 2007
(27)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4 p.m. in room 2 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Keon and Tardif (4).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon and Élyse Hurtubise-Loranger.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued to examine, for the purpose of reporting 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 complete text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 2, Monday, May 15, 2006.)
WITNESSES:
Farm Credit Canada
Grey Honey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources;
Michel Thibaudeau, Director, Corporation Audit;
Krista Kilback, Business Partner, Human Resources.
The Chair informed the members of the committee that the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., would be absent for an indefinite period.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved:
That the Honourable Senator Keon be elected Acting Deputy Chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Grey Honey, Mr. Michel Thibaudeau and Ms. Krista Kilback each made statements and answered questions.
It was agreed that the following draft budget for the special study on the application of the Official Languages Act for fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 be adopted and tabled to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Professional and other services $ 30,200 Transportation and communications $ 113,000 Miscellaneous expenses $ 3,900 TOTAL $ 148,100
In accordance with rule 92(2)(f), the committee convened in camera.
It was agreed that senators' staff members as well as the communications officer assigned to the committee be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
At 5:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Committee