THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, February 2, 2026
(11)
[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 and Surette (5).
Participated 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 continued its study on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to official languages generally. (Topic: Proposed regulations on administrative monetary penalties)
WITNESSES:
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:
Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Orientation and External Relations;
Patrick Wolfe, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement;
Pascale Giguère, General Counsel.
Air Canada:
Marc Barbeau, Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary;
David Rheault, Vice President, Government and Community Relations.
VIA Rail Canada:
Denis Lavoie, General Council, Legal Services;
Gabrielle Caron, Senior Legal Counsel, Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance.
Pierre Leduc, Patrick Wolfe and Pascale Giguère each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:58 p.m., the committee suspended.
David Rheault and Gabrielle Caron each made a statement and, together with Marc Barbeau and Gabrielle Caron, answered questions.
At 6:05 p.m., the committee resumed.
At 7:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:07 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 and/or transcription 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 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.
At 7:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
Attest:
Catherine Cuerrier
Clerk of the Committee