THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, April 27, 2026
(18)
[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, Gerba, Hébert, Henkel, Moncion, Patterson and Surette (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Aucoin and Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) (2).
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 continued its study on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to official languages generally.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Marc Miller, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Heritage:
Francis Bilodeau, Deputy Minister;
Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions.
The minister made a statement and, together with Francis Bilodeau and Julie Boyer, answered questions.
At 5:56 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:02 p.m., the committee resumed.
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:
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:
Kelly Burke, Commissioner of Official Languages;
Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Orientation and External Relations;
Patrick Wolfe, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement;
Pascale Giguère, General Counsel.
Community Health and Social Services Network:
Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director.
English Language Arts Network:
Miranda Castravelli, Executive Director.
Kelly Burke made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:59 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:05 p.m., the committee resumed.
Jennifer Johnson and Miranda Castravelli each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:49 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Katy Quinn
Clerk of the Committee