Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of May 11, 2015

OTTAWA, Monday, May 11, 2015
(37)

[Translation]

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

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

In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Francine Pressault, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the committee continued its study 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 complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 21, 2013, the committee continued its study on 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:

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Mary Donaghy, Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications Branch;

Ghislaine Saikaley, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Assurance Branch.

Mr. Fraser made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 6:12 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 12, 2014, the committee continued its study of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 8.)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Mary Donaghy, Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications Branch;

Johane Tremblay, Director and General Counsel.

Mr. Fraser made an opening statement and, with Ms. Tremblay, answered questions.

At 7:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:05 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

At 7:13 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 21, 2013, the committee continued its study on 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.)

The committee reviewed a draft budget for the special study on best practices for language policies and second- language learning for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Fortin-Duplessis moved,

That, notwithstanding the approval by the committee on March 9, 2015 of the special study budget application in the amount of $166,872 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, the committee withdraw this application; and

That the following special study budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

General Expenses:	$ 500
Total:	$ 500

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.

At 7:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee