THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, March 27, 2023
(28)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met in camera this day at 5:34 p.m. in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable René Cormier, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Clement, Cormier, Dagenais, Dalphond, Gagné, Mégie, Moncion and Poirier (8).

Participating in the meeting: Marie-Ève Hudon, analyst, Library of Parliament; Jérémie Spadafora, communications officer, Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its study of Francophone immigration to minority communities.

Pursuant to rule 12‑16(1)(d), the committee discussed in camera a draft report.

It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera meeting today, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or staff, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of the parliamentary session.

Notwithstanding the decision of the committee of Monday, March 20, 2023, it was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

At 5:54 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 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. (Topic: Annual Report 2020‑21)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Mona Fortier, P.C., M.P., President of the Treasury Board.

WITNESSES:

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

Mireille Laroche, Assistant Deputy Minister, People and Culture, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer;

Karim Adam, Director, Oversight and Compliance, Official Languages Centre of Excellence, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

The minister made a statement and, together with Karim Adam and Mireille Laroche, answered questions.

At 7:07 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Angus Wilson

Clerk of the Committee