Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, December 4, 2006
(18)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4:00 p.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Jaffer, Losier- Cool, Murray, P.C., Robichaud, P.C., and Tardif (8).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament, Marie-Ève Hudon and Élise Hurtubise- Loranger.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee proceeded to study, for the purpose of reporting on it from time to time, the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the act. (For the full text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 2, Monday, May 15, 2006).

APPEARING:

The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P., President of the Treasury Board.

WITNESSES:

CBC/Radio-Canada:

Robert Rabinovitch, President and CEO;

Sylvain Lafrance, Executive Vice-President French Services;

Michel Tremblay, Vice-President, Strategy and Business Development.

Bell Globemedia/Rogers Media Partnership:

Paul D. Sparkes, Senior Vice-President, Corporate and Public Affairs;

René Guimond, President, TQS;

Rick Brace, President, CTV;

Gerry Frappier, President and General Manager, RDS;

Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet Inc.

Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada:

Monique Boudrias, Executive Vice-President;

Kelly Collins, Director General, Office of the Vice-President, Official Languages.

Department of Justice Canada:

François Nadeau, Counsel, Treasury Board Portfolio Legal Services.

The Chair made an opening statement.

At 4:02 p.m., Mr. Rabinovitch made a statement and then, with Mr. Lafrance and Mr. Tremblay, answered questions.

At 4:59 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:05 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Brace, Mr. Guimond and Mr. Frappier each made a statement, and then, with Mr. Beeforth, answered questions.

At 5:56 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:02 p.m., the committee resumed.

Minister Baird made a statement and then with Ms. Boudrias, Mr. Nadeau and Mr. Collins, answered questions.

At 6:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, December 11, 2006
(19)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4:02 p.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Jaffer, Losier-Cool, Munson, Murray, P.C., Nolin and Robichaud, P.C. (8).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament, Marie-Ève Hudon.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee proceeded to study, for the purpose of reportingon it from time to time, the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the act. (For the full text of the Order of Reference, see Issue No. 2, Monday, May 15, 2006).

APPEARING:

The Honourable David Emerson, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, P.C., M.P., Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Heritage:

Judith A. LaRocque, Deputy Minister:

David M. Robinson, Director General, 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Federal Secretariat;

Tom Scrimger, Director General, Sport Canada.

The Chair made an opening statement.

At 4:04 p.m., Minister Emerson made a statement and then, together with Ms. LaRocque and Mr. Robinson, answered questions.

At 4:54 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:00 p.m., the committee resumed.

Minister Van Loan made a statement and then, with Ms. LaRocque and Mr. Tom Scrimger, answered questions.

At 5:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee