THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, March 23, 2026
(15)
[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 Surette, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Patterson and Surette (5).
Participating in the meeting: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the committee continued its study on the regulatory framework of Part VII of the Official Languages Act.
WITNESSES:
Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences:
Geoffroy Krajewski, Chair (by videoconference);
Denis Desgagné, Executive Director (by videoconference).
Fédération culturelle canadienne-française:
Nancy Juneau, Chair (by videoconference);
Gabriel Poliquin, Legal Counsel specializing in language rights.
Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne:
Martin Normand, Chief Executive Officer.
Commission nationale des parents francophones:
Gillian Anderson, Board Chair;
Marie-Andrée Asselin, Executive Director.
Geoffroy Krajewski and Nancy Juneau made a statement and, together with Gabriel Poliquin and Denis Desgagné, answered questions.
At 6 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:04 p.m., the committee resumed.
Martin Normand and Gillian Anderson made a statement and, together with Marie-Andrée Asselin, answered questions.
At 7:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:06 p.m., the committee resumed.
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:
Canadian Heritage:
Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions;
Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages.
Julie Boyer made a statement and, together with Sarah Boily, answered questions.
At 7:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Katy Quinn
Clerk of the Committee