Tuesday, June 4, 2024

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages has the honour to table its

FOURTH REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized to examine the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, May 9, 2024, examined the said subject-matter and now reports as follows:

The committee met on May 27, 2024, to hear testimony from the Commissioner of Official Languages, Raymond Théberge, and Canadian Heritage representatives Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages, and Marcel Fallu, Manager, Official Languages, on the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-69.

The proposed wording ensures that all employees of federally regulated private businesses in Quebec or in regions with a strong francophone presence — whether current, former or potential — can make a complaint and apply for a court remedy if the business fails to comply with the language of work rights set out in the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act (S.C. 2023, c. 15, s. 54).

The committee eagerly awaits an order of the Governor in Council fixing the coming into force of this brand new law. The committee thanks the witnesses for answering its questions. The committee has no objection to the proposed amendment to Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-69.

Respectfully submitted,