THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, February 7, 2022
(2)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of November 25, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference, at 5:03 p.m. ET, the chair, the Honourable René Cormier, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senator Cormier (1).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Clement, Dagenais, Dalphond, Gagné, Mégie, Mockler, Moncion and Poirier (8).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Gajic, Legislative Clerk and Louise Martel, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Mélisa Leclerc, Director, Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the committee began 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.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner;

Isabelle Gervais, Assistant Commissioner;

Pascale Giguère, General Counsel.

Raymond Théberge made a statement and answered questions.

At 6 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:02 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that for the duration of the parliamentary session, one designated staff member by each member of the committee be allowed access to in camera meetings held by videoconference on Zoom or Teams.

It was agreed that the proposal for a special study be approved, based on the parameters outlined by the committee’s analyst and distributed prior to this meeting (draft order of reference, list of suggested witnesses, terms of reference, work plan), and that the chair take the necessary steps to seek Senate approval as soon as possible.

At 6:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee