Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages

Issue 16 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, May 28, 2007
(30)

[English]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Losier-Cool, Murray, P.C. et Tardif (5).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 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, May 3, 2007, the committee begins its study on the state of francophone culture in Canada, particularly in francophone minority communities.

WITNESSES:

Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada:

Roger Ouellette, President;

Serge Paquin, Secretary General.

Alliance nationale de l'industrie musicale:

Benoit Henry, Executive Director;

François Dubé, Secretary Treasurer.

Association de la presse francophone:

Francis Potié, Director General.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Roger Ouellette, Benoit Henry, François Dubé and Francis Potié each made a statement. Together, all the witnesses answered questions.

At 5:49 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:55 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that staff and the communications officer assigned to the committee be permitted to stay in the room.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee proceeded in public.

It was agreed that the following budget application for the committee's special study on francophone culture be adopted for submission to the Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee.

Summary of Expenditures

At 6:06 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, June 4, 2007
(31)

[English]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Comeau, Keon, Losier-Cool, Murray, P.C. and Tardif (6).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 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 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. (See Issue No. 2, Monday, May 15, 2006, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Gérard Finn, Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications Branch;

Renald Dussault, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Assurance Branch;

Johane Tremblay, General Counsel, Director, Legal Services.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Graham Fraser made a statement and, together with Gérald Finn, Renald Dussault and Johane Tremblay, answered questions.

At 6:03 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee