THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, May 27, 2024
(49)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 5 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable René Cormier, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Aucoin, Audette, Clement, Cormier, Mégie and Moncion (6).

Participating in the meeting: Catlin Seibel-Kamél, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate; Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 9, 2023, the committee continued its study of matters relating to minority-language health services.

WITNESSES:

Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute:

Elena Valenzuela, Director and Associate Dean, University of Ottawa.

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Orientations and External Relations Branch;

Patrick Wolfe, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement Branch;

Pascale Giguère, General Counsel.

Canadian Heritage:

Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages;

Marcel Fallu, Manager, Official Languages.

As an individual:

Dr. José François, Provincial Chief Medical Officer, Shared Health, and Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba (by videoconference).

Elena Valenzuela and José François each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:05 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the committee continued its study of the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act. (Topic: Annual Report 2023-2024)

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024.

Raymond Théberge made a statement and, together with Patrick Wolfe and Pierre Leduc, answered questions.

At 7:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:06 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024.

Sarah Boily made a statement and, together with Marcel Fallu, answered questions.

At 7:20 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:22 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.

It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera meeting today, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the audio recording be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 7:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Karine Déquier

Clerk of the Committee