Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, March 24, 2003
(7)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4:04 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Chaput, Comeau, Gauthier, Keon, Lapointe, Léger, Losier-Cool and Maheu (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Yves Morin (1).
In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee resumed consideration of its Order of Reference pertaining to its study of the operation of the Official Languages Act and of regulations and directives made thereunder. (See Committee Proceedings of February 10, 2003, Issue No. 3.)
APPEARING:
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P., President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
WITNESSES:
From the Privy Council Office:
Robert Asselin, Special Advisor, Official Languages.
Geoffroi Montpetit, Executive Assistant.
Anne Scotton, Director General, Official Languages, Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Honourable Stéphane Dion made a presentation and, together with the witnesses, answered questions.
At 6:17 p.m., the meeting was suspended.
At 6:35 p.m., the meeting resumed in camera to discuss the future business of the committee. It was agreed that staff members be allowed to stay in the room during the in camera discussion.
It was agreed — That the committee extend the duration of its Monday meetings to 4 hours (from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.), and that the committee continue meeting every second Monday of a sitting week in alternation with the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.
It was agreed — That the workplan labelled "Option B'' be reworked to reflect the longer Monday meetings.
At 7:05 p.m., the committee resumed its deliberations in public for the purpose of adopting a draft budget.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau — That the following budget application for the fiscal year extending from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004, be concurred in and that the Chair submit the application to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
|
Professional and other services |
$ 28,050 |
|
Transportation and communications |
$174,900 |
|
All other expenditures |
$ 7,800 |
|
TOTAL |
$210,750 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 7:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, April 7, 2003
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4:08 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Chaput, Gauthier, Lapointe, Léger and Losier-Cool (6).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Corbin (1).
In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Research Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee resumed consideration of its Order of Reference pertaining to its study of the operation of the Official Languages Act and of regulations and directives made thereunder. (See Committee Proceedings of February 10, 2003, Issue No. 3.)
WITNESSES:
From the Fédération franco-ténoise:
Fernand Denault, President.
From the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne:
Diane Côté, Liaison Officer.
M. Denault made a presentation and answered questions.
At 5:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended. At 5:44 p.m., the sitting was resumed.
The committee commenced consideration of its Order of Reference pertaining to its study of the report entitled "Environmental Scan: Access to Justice in Both Official Languages.''
WITNESSES:
From Justice Canada — Francophonie, Justice in Official Languages and Bijuralism:
Suzanne Poirier, General Counsel and Coordinator; and
Andrée Duchesne, National Coordinator, POLAJ.
From Justice Canada — Official Languages Law Group:
Marc Tremblay, General Counsel and Director.
From Justice Canada — Family, Children and Youth Section:
Lise Lafrenière Henrie, Senior Counsel, Family Law Policy.
Ms. Poirier made a presentation and, together with Ms. Duchesne and Mr. Tremblay, answered questions.
At 6:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Richard Maurel
Clerk of the Committee