Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, April 26, 2010
(6)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 5:05 p.m. this day, in room 9 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boisvenu, Champagne, P.C., Chaput, De Bané, P.C., Fortin-Duplessis, Losier-Cool, Rivard, Seidman and Tardif (9).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Francine Pressault, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, the committee continued examining the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it. (For the complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee Issue No. 2) (Study on Part VII and other issues)
WITNESSES:
Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law:
Josée Forest-Niesing, President;
Rénard Rémillard, Director General.
Ms. Forest-Niesing made a presentation and, along with Mr. Rémillard, answered questions.
At 6:30 p.m., the meeting adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, May 3, 2010
(7)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 4:36 p.m. this day, in room 9 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boisvenu, Chaput, De Bané, P.C., Fortin-Duplessis, Losier-Cool, Rivard, Seidman and Tardif (8).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Francine Pressault, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, the committee continued examining the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it. (For the complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee Issue No. 2.) (Study on Part VII and other issues)
WITNESSES:
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:
Frank Fedyk, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Research;
Michel Caron, Director, Youth and Official Language Minority Communities;
Cliff Halliwell, Director General, Strategic Policy Research Directorate;
Ellen Healey, Director, Social Programs Division;
Silvano Tocchi, A/Director General, Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:
Gérald Cossette, Associate Deputy Minister;
Monica Janecek, Director, Employment Equity, Official Languages, Staffing, Corporate Resourcing Division;
Alexandre Drago, Senior Advisor, Intergovernmental Relations Division.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee examined, in camera, a draft budget.
It was agreed that the following budget request for the special study on the application of the Official Languages Act for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, be adopted and presented to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and other services $ 15,200 Transportation and communications 66,338 All other expenditures 28,500 TOTAL $ 110,038
At 4:46 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:52 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.
Mr. Fedyk made a presentation and, along with Ms. Healey and Messrs. Caron, Halliwell and Tocchi, answered questions.
At 6:00 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 6:08 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Mr. Cossette made a presentation and, along with Ms. Janecek and Mr. Drago, answered questions.
At 6:52 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, May 10, 2010
(8)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 4:04 p.m. this day, in room 9 of the Victoria Building, the Deputy Chair, the Honourable Andrée Champagne, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, C.P. Fortin-Duplessis, Losier-Cool, Rivard, Seidman and Tardif (6).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Francine Pressault, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, the committee continued examining the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it. (For the complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee Issue No. 2.) (Study on Part VII and other issues)
WITNESS:
Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise:
Michel Dubé, President.
Mr. Dubé made a presentation and answered questions.
At 5:18 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 11, 2010
(9)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 9:01 a.m. this day, in room 2 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, De Bané, P.C., Fortin- Duplessis, Losier-Cool, Rivard, Robichaud, P.C., Seidman and Tardif (9).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Francine Pressault, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, the committee continued examining the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it. (For the complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee Issue No. 2.) (Study on Part VII and other issues)
APPEARING:
The Honourable James Moore, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Heritage:
Pablo Sobrino, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Planning and Corporate Affairs;
Hubert Lussier, Director General, Official Languages Support Programs.
Minister Moore made a presentation and, along with Messrs. Sobrino and Lussier, answered questions.
At 10:07 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Danielle Labonté
Clerk of the Committee