Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue No. 34 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of December 3, 2018

OTTAWA, Monday, December 3, 2018
(71)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met in camera this day at 4:08 p.m., pursuant to rule 12- 16(1)(d), in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable René Cormier, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Gagné, Maltais, McIntyre, Mégie, Moncion, Poirier and Smith (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne (1).

In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament, and Stéphanie Pépin, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 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. 2.)

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 6, 2017, the committee continued to examine and report on Canadians' views about modernizing the Official Languages Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 12.)

The committee considered a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed:

That the work plan for the period of November to June and the list of potential witnesses for the fifth component of the study on modernizing the Official Languages Act be adopted.

It was agreed:

That the outline of the committee's fourth report be adopted.

At 4:44 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:58 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P., Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

WITNESSES:

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:

Guylaine F. Roy, Deputy Minister, Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

Canadian Heritage:

Denis Racine, Director General, Official Languages Branch;

Yvan Déry, Senior Director, Policy and Research, Official Languages Branch.

Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:53 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud
Clerk of the Committee