THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, October 6, 2025
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[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 Allister W. Surette, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Gerba, Moncion, Patterson, Poirier and Surette (6).

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

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee began its study on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to official languages generally.

WITNESSES:

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:

Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages;

Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Orientation and External Relations;

Patrick Wolfe, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement;

Pascale Giguère, General Counsel.

Raymond Théberge made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:03 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

Is it agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of today’s in camera meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or their staff, and that the audio recording be destroyed by the clerk of the committee 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 chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to examine and report on the regulatory framework of Part VII of the Official Languages Act; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

At 6:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Cuerrier

Clerk of the Committee