Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 5, 2012
OTTAWA, Monday, March 5, 2012
(17)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day in room 9, Victoria Building, at 4:30 p.m., the chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Day, Fortin-Duplessis, Losier-Cool, Mockler, Poirier, Segal and Tardif (9).
In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, 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 Wednesday, October 5, 2011, the committee continued its study of the use of the Internet, new media and social media and the respect for Canadians' language rights. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)
WITNESSES:
Passport Canada:
Lisa Pezzack, Acting Director General, Legislation and International Relations Bureau.
Environment Canada:
George Enei, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, Corporate Services Branch.
Canada Border Services Agency:
Georges Rioux, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs Branch.
Parks Canada:
Larry Ostola, Vice-President, Heritage Conservation and Commemoration Directorate.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:
François Morissette, Director, Corporate Web, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Branch.
Health Canada:
Jane Hazel, Acting Senior Director General, Public Affairs, Consultation and Communications Branch.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
Janice Keenan, Director, E-Communications.
National Capital Commission:
Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Tim Cogan, Chief Superintendent, Director General, National Communication Services.
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Louise de Jourdan, Acting Director General, Communications Directorate.
Ms. Pezzack, Mr. Enei, Mr. Rioux, Mr. Ostola and Mr. Morissette made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 5:48 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:56 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Hazel, Ms. Keenan, Ms. de Jourdan, Mr. Laflamme and Mr. Cogan made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 7:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:08 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, the committee continued its study of Air Canada's obligations under the Official Languages Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the sitting resumed in camera, and the committee considered a draft report.
After debate, it was agreed that the report entitled Air Canada's obligations under the Official Languages Act: Towards Substantive Equality, as amended further to the discussions held this day, be concurred in, and that the chair be authorized to table the amended report in the Senate and to request a response from the government.
At 7:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Danielle Labonté
Clerk of the Committee