Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 10, 2009
(21)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 12:05 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Dickson, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Wallace and Watt (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Adams and Corbin (2).
In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Carolina Mingarelli, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 4, 2009, the committee started its study of the following motion: That, in the accordance with section 38 of the Nunavut Act, chapter 28 of the Statutes of Canada, 1993, the Senate concur in the June 4, 2008 passage of the Official Languages Act by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
WITNESSES:
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut:
Honourable Paul Okalik, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Iqaluit West.
Government of Nunavut:
The Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Minister of Languages;
Stéphane Cloutier, Special Adviser;
Kate Darling, Legal Counsel.
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:
Graham Fraser, Commissioner (by video conference);
Johane Tremblay, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications;
Pascale Giguère, Acting Director and General Counsel, Legal Affairs Branch.
Association des francophones du Nunavut:
Daniel Cuerrier, Director General.
Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut:
Alexina Kublu, Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
Qikiqtani Inuit Association:
Joe Attagutaaluk, Executive Member;
Navarana Beveridge, Director, Social Policy.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.:
Laurie Pelly, Legal Counsel.
Department of Justice Canada:
Michael Aquilino, Counsel, Official Languages Law Group;
Jo Anne Lagendyk, Counsel, Canadian Heritage, Legal Services;
Renée Soublière, Senior Counsel and Litigation Coordinator, Official Languages Law Group.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Okalik and Mr. Tapardjuk each made a statement and, together with Mr. Cloutier and Ms. Darling, answered questions.
At 1:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:12 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Nolin took the chair.
Mr. Fraser made a statement and, together with Ms. Tremblay and Ms. Guiguère, answered questions.
At 2:43 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:48 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Fraser took the chair.
Mr. Cuerrier made a statement and answered questions.
At 3:34 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:40 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Kublu made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:44 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:48 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Attagutaaluk made a statement and, together with Ms. Pelly, Ms. Beveridge and Mr. Cloutier, answered questions.
At 5:25 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:27 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Lagendyk, Ms. Soublière and Mr. Aquilino answered questions.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to give drafting instructions to the analysts for the report on this study.
At 5:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 11, 2009
(22)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met in camera this day at 8:40 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Dickson, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Wallace and Watt (8).
In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Carolina Mingarelli, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 4, 2009, the committee continued its study of the following motion: That, in the accordance with section 38 of the Nunavut Act, chapter 28 of the Statutes of Canada, 1993, the Senate concur in the June 4, 2008 passage of the Official Languages Act by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft report.
It was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted and that the chair present the report in the Senate today.
It was agreed that the staff, who worked very long hours in order to complete this report on deadline, be thanked for their hard work.
At 11:52 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee