Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of March 23, 2015

OTTAWA, Monday, March 23, 2015
(33)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day, at 5 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Senator Claudette Tardif, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Fortin-Duplessis, Maltais, McIntyre, Poirier, Seidman and Tardif (8).

In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 21, 2013, the committee continued its study of best practices for language policies and second-language learning in a context of linguistic duality or plurality. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

Embassy of Switzerland to Canada:

His Excellency Beat Nobs, Ambassador of Switzerland to Canada;

Urs Obrist, Science, Research and Educational Officer.

Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française:

Alec Boudreau, President;

Josée Vaillancourt, Executive Director.

Quebec Federation of Parents' Committees:

Marc Charland, Executive Director (by video conference).

The ambassador made a statement and, together with Mr. Obrist, answered questions.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Charland and Mr. Boudreau made statements and, together with Ms. Vaillancourt, answered questions.

At 7:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee