THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, June 3, 2024
(50)

[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 Clement, Cormier, Mégie, Moncion and Poirier (5).

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

Pursuant to the 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:

Francophone Immigration Support Network of Eastern Ontario:

Catherine St-Hilaire, Assistant Coordinator.

Réseau en immigration francophone du Manitoba:

Salwa Meddri, Manager (by videoconference).

Community Health and Social Services Network:

Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director.

As individuals:

James Robson, Patient Navigator, Committee for Anglophone Social Action;

Steve Guimond, Patient Navigator, Community Health and Social Services Network (by videoconference);

Kayla Kippen, Director of Health Initiatives, Lower North Shore of Quebec, Coasters Association (by videoconference);

Brittney Chabot, Executive Director, English Community Organization - Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean;

Chloe Régis, stay-at-home mother;

Hugo Bissonnet, Executive Director, 4Korners (by videoconference).

Catherine St-Hilaire and Salwa Meddri each made a statement and answered questions.

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

At 6:07 p.m., the committee resumed.

James Robson, Britney Chabot, Chloe Régis, Jennifer Johnson, Steve Guimond, Kayla Kippen and Hugo Bissonnet each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:23 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:27 p.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 12-6(1)(d), resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

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.

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.

It was agreed that the report be adopted in both official languages.

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.

At 7:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Karine Déquier

Clerk of the Committee