THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, November 25, 2024
(58)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4:59 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, Clement, Cormier, Mégie and Moncion (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Youance (1).

Participating in the meeting: Marie‑Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 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. (Topic: OCOL Report on Official Language Minority Communities)

WITNESSES:

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.

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

At 6:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:08 p.m., pursuant to rule 12‑16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

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.

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 portion of today’s meeting, 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 information gathered by Senators Aucoin, Cormier, and Moncion during their visit to Montfort Hospital and the Institut de Savoir Montfort on November 6, 2024 and the information that will be gathered during the digital healthcare solutions showcase to be held in December be taken into consideration in the preparation of the committee’s report on minority-language health services.

At 6:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Angus Wilson

Clerk of the Committee